Pickling! What is pickling? Pickling is a fermentation process that allows you to extend the shelf life of your food (such as vegetables, onions, or eggs) by using a brine or vinegar, what can be better than that? It can be used as an extra food source during scarcity or merely provide acidic flavor to any meal to add that extra pizazz. Yum!!!
Let me start by telling you a bit about how pickling got started in my household. My husband and I had decided out of the blue that we were going to start pickling, which quickly turned into a FUN hobby that we do together! Overtime I have discovered (with trial and error) what my favorite tricks are with pickling, and what veggies I prefer. For example, beets, carrots, asparagus, and green beans can be nicely paired with garlic and dill (and sometimes I prefer to add a bit of spice to the brine). Any of these can be a yummy addition with a family dinner! Even my children have become a fan of pickled veggies!!!!!!! They prefer pickled carrots and asparagus the most which was pleasantly surprising! Ha.
I have included my recipe below, and it can be used for any vegetable that you desire. Hopefully, you and your family will enjoy it as much as us!
How to Pickle Any Vegetable
Ingredients:
1 lb of vegetable of your choice
½ tsp of dill
1 garlic cloves
1 tsp of black peppercorn
1 cup of white vinegar
1 cup of water
1 tbsp of salt
1 tbsp of sugar
2 wide-mouth pint jars with lids
Directions:
- Make sure the jars are sterile by washing them with warm water and soap, set aside to dry
- Prepare your veggies, wash and dry - trim the edges - slice in desired shape and size
- Place your herbs, spices, and garlic in the jars
- Add your veggies to each jar, pack them in tightly without smashing them
- Time to make the brine. Place vinegar, salt, water, sugar in a small pot on high heat. Bring to a boil, make sure to keep stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar. Pour brine over vegetables, filling up the jars to the beginning of the lip (make sure to leave enough room for air and expansion)
- Before you put the lid on, make sure to tap the jars to remove any bubbles. Place the lids on the jars and put the rings on tightly.
- Let the jars cool down in room temperature. Store in the fridge for at least two days. Enjoy up to 1 month.
