A pickle can be a symphony of flavors. Be creative with pickling spices—try throwing in the whole kitchen sink if you like. Experiment with different accents: cumin seeds and coriander for an Indian pickle; caraway, celery, and mustard seeds to evoke Eastern European flavors; ginger, garlic, bruised lemongrass, and a shot of soy for a taste of Southeast Asia. For a crisp pickle start with crisp fruits and vegetables; those that are just shy of ripe work well.
Recipe information
Yield
fills 2 pint jars
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Divide the vegetables, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns, bay leaves, allspice, shallots, and red pepper flakes evenly between 2 sanitized pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of the jar.
Step 2
In a saucepan, bring the vinegar, honey, and salt to a boil, stirring to dissolve the honey and salt. Boil for 1 minute. Pour the hot vinegar into the jars, fully immersing the vegetables. There may be a little extra pickling liquid left over.
Step 3
Let cool to room temperature, seal, and refrigerate. The pickles are ready to eat after 2 weeks and will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Basic Canning
Step 4
Canning is a straightforward process that experienced veterans can do instinctively. It’s fun and easy, but because detailed procedures must be followed in order to prevent the growth of toxic bacteria, you should first learn from an experienced canner or study one of the books recommended in the Resources section (page 194) if you want to strike out on your own. Describing the full canning process, which results in foods that can be stored at room temperature for up to a year in a cool, dark, place, is beyond the scope of this book, so the preserve recipes that follow are ones that can be stored in the fridge for 1 to 2 months.
