The current renaissance in food preservation has brought some long overdue awareness to the craft of vinegar pickling. Modern canning companies are popping up all across the globe and creating fresh, quirky, and inspired takes on the traditional pickles we know and love.
Any vegetable or fruit submerged in a vinegar brine or having vinegar added to it is in pickle territory. This includes condiments, and a myriad of fruit and vegetable pickles. While the varieties on the market are worth a try, pickles are also quite simple to make at home. There are two methods of vinegar pickling: refrigerator and fresh-pack canned. Refrigerator pickles are raw or blanched vegetables or fruits that are immersed in brine, and then placed in the fridge to cure for up to two days. Sometimes these pickles are cold-brined, which is best for very thinly cut or soft vegetables. Usually, however, we pour hot brine over the vegetables, helping the flavors to penetrate quickly.
Two methods are used to create fresh-pack canned vinegar pickles. With hot pack, the vegetables or fruit are hot before the brine is added (usually they’re heated in the brine) and then packed into hot canning jars. With cold pack, raw or blanched vegetables are packed into hot jars and the brine is poured over. Both hot pack and cold pack are processed in a water bath canner or steam canner for a specified time. Remove the jars, place them on a folded dish towel, and leave them undisturbed until cool. Then check each jar to make sure the lid has sealed; any unsealed jars should be placed promptly into the refrigerator. Sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dry place with or without rings for up to one year.
Mix, match, and adapt the recipes below to find your preferred pickling style, and enjoy the way this preservation technique breathes new life into your garden bounty.
- Maple Bread & Butter Cucumbers
- All-American Cucumber Relish
- Pearl Onion Pickles
- Bread & Butter Tomatoes
- Classic Vinegar-Brined Cucumber Pickles
Tamika Adjemian is a recipe developer and Master Food Preserver. Find her on Instagram @TamikaAdjemian. This is an excerpt from her new book, Pickled to Please.
Pickled to Please
If you’ve been considering canning your own pickled products, Pickled to Please is perfect for you. Author Tamika Adjemian has put together a well-rounded collection of methods and recipes for your first foray into canning that will make it easier than ever. Intended for new and experienced home canners, this book covers food preservation methods, safety information, and teaches the “mix and match” approach that demonstrates the easy way to swap out seasonings and spices, vinegars and brines, and fruits and vegetables. Every cook will relish the tips in this cookbook, as Adjemian encourages experimentation with different flavors and combinations to find the perfect pickle. After you’ve mastered the art of pickling, the recipes included will help turn the ordinary into delicious at every meal!
