Topic: Pickling

[Multiveg]

What are your experiences with pickling in vinegar or brine - is it worth it (especially as we haven't a large freezer), and what do you pickle?

I am a pickle virgin.

[tim]

I'm reeeely X - it all got lost.
So - here it is again:
Oh, yes!!
Although 'bottling' comes first - better flavour & colour - we pickle/chutney/relish everything.
Aubergines
Apples
Beetroot
Cucumber
Fennel
Lemons
Peppers
Shallots.........shall I go on?? = Tim

PS Brining, except for lemons, to us is the last resort - like salting beans.

[Wicker]

Don't pickle much nowadays.  Make a few jars of chutney but to be honest I buy sachets of pickling spice and add that to the vinegar for the chutney.  Do pickle beetroot in vinegar tho but always add sugar (I use unrefined cane cos I think it tastes better in almost any cooking except baking) to taste.  cheers

[Doris_Pinks]

This site may be of use to you multi...
http://www.picklenet.com/  I find that we do not eat a lot of chutneys etc, and still have last years in the cupboard!!
 Do buy a lot of pickled cucumbers though, so will hopefully be trying to do those this year,and beetroot too, they all also make good homemade gifts at Christmas! I am in the same boat as you as we do not have a very big freezer :'(  Tried salting beans one year, have to say they were the MOST disgusting things I have ever tasted!!  I must look into bottling.

[Mrs Ava]

I have picked garlic using Gavins recipe this year, but other than that, I leave it to mum.  We aren't really big pickle fans as we don't much like vinegar, however, I love mums home made pickled shallots - so long as they have only been in the pickle for a month or so, and the same with red cabbage.  Can't abide pickled beetroot!  When we had the family lottie we tried pickled gerkins several times, but never mastered it, and they were either vile, soggy or went mouldy!

[budgiebreeder]

Home made PiccalilliDo try that one its far superior to bought and keeps really well.I used to do gherkins but found them a faff as you have to do them over a week or more .Depends on how much you like them.

[MissBaritone]

I do beetroot, onions and shallots. I also make chutney and piccalli. All my spare fruit gaets made into jam

[derbex]

I reckon fruit chutneys must be worth a try, we bought some apricot from a farmers market and it really was the biz.

I was going to say that it was the cat's pyjamas -then I though about how much I'd like eating a cat's pjs  ;D

Jeremy

[Derekthefox]

I agree on the picallili, but as I am the only one who eats it in our house, I add extra chillies and make it even spicier, it is something amazing.

[Multiveg]

Thanks all, have bitten the bullet and ordered a couple of books from Amazon (as well as a bagpuss DVD! and other books)