Holly Hindin at the Sea Bright Farmers’ Market last Thursday. (Photo by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

By SUSAN ERICSON

What’s the difference between jelly and jam?

“Jelly is clear, while jam contains pieces of the fruit it’s made from,” Holly Hindin explains from across her table at the Sea Bright Farmers’ Market, one of three local markets where she sells her Holly Jolly Jams.

And while the 40-year-old Fair Havenite has an array of fruity jams to entice shoppers and samplers, she also makes some with real zing.

“The Apple Pie jam, Balsamic Fig jam, and the Jalapeno Jelly are probably my best sellers,” she said, “but the Cowboy Candy is maybe the most unusual.”

A sampling of jams and jellies from Holly Jolly Jam can be found at the Sea Bright and Red Bank  farmers’ markets. (Photo by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

Cowboy Candy? That’s a spicy blend of  jalapeno, cayenne and habanero peppers sliced thin on a mandolin, then sweetened with sugar and other ingredients to make a jam.

“Garlic pepper” jelly, anyone? Hindin makes that, too, along with pineapple mango habanero jam and more at a commercial kitchen in Spring Lake Heights.

If you’re looking for something with a little less heat, try a carrot cake jam, which would be delicious on vanilla ice cream. All jams are $7, and you can get three for $20.

For more than 10 years, Hindin worked in product development for an import company, “and when I got laid off, an opportunity presented itself, and here I am,” she told PieHole. “This turned into a hobby gone wild.”

But when the season for farm markets ends, Hindin has no plans for vacation or hibernation.

“I have several craft shows and holiday events lined up, and a new website coming soon,” she said. Meantime, Holly Jolly Jams can be found here on Facebook.