Category Archives: Pickles

Finally, Stainless-Steel Mason Jar Bands

Posted on August 19, 2016 by

“See this rust?” asked a county-fair judge of a young 4-Her, pointing at a little spot inside the band the judge had just removed from the child’s jam jar. “This can keep your lid from sealing.” I’d never known even … Continue reading →

Posted in Fermented foods, Pickles, Preserving science, Sweet preserves | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From the New Joy of Pickling: Pickled Sliced Peaches

Posted on August 15, 2016 by

The Washington State Fruit Commission made my day again early this month, when a big box of fragrant, juicy peaches and nectarines was delivered to my front porch. The fruit was so tasty that I made small batches of plain … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruits, Pickles | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

News Bites

Posted on April 19, 2016 by

In recent weeks I’ve been busy with the very tedious but so-important work of producing the index for the third edition of The Joy of Pickling. Yes, the third edition will be out soon, on July 1! Online retailers in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and blogs, Pickles | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The New Fruit Cellar

Posted on October 7, 2015 by

  In case you’ve been wondering why I haven’t written in so long, I’ll explain: We’ve been moving. This has involved renovating a little old bungalow, cleaning out a big house, a two-story garage, and a large barn, selling or … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruits, Pickles, Sweet preserves | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

The Bambi Wars Continue

Posted on May 21, 2015 by

My latest weapon in the war against the deer is kimchi. The dryer sheets repelled them only briefly last summer, and the creatures are apparently starting to savor the scent of rotten egg. Rotten egg presents other problems, too: It … Continue reading →

Posted in Fermented foods, Pickles | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Olive-Oil Pickles: Q&A

Posted on April 3, 2015 by

Before the routine use of mason jars or even paraffin in the home kitchen, olive oil was often used, in America as well as Europe, to seal air out of jars of vinegar-pickled vegetables. When you’re canning pickles in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Pickles, Preserving science, Vegetables | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Last-Chance Pickles from Last Summer’s Citron Melon

Posted on March 12, 2015 by

I feel ridiculous giving so much attention this time of year to a fruit of hot summer days, Citrullus lanatus—that is, the species that includes both watermelons and citron melons. After all, for nearly half a year I ignored the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruits, Pickles, Sweet preserves | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Another Red Watermelon Pickle

Posted on March 4, 2015 by

I was pleased to find outside the front door yesterday a package from Gwen Schock Cowherd, my cherished advisor on all foods German-from-Russia. Gwen had sent a jar of her prize-winning unfermented watermelon pickles, made in the tradition of Midwestern … Continue reading →

Posted in Fermented foods, Fruits, Pickles | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Fresh-Pickled Watermelon

Posted on February 13, 2015 by

I love discovering in my garage “pantry” a forgotten jar of something unusual—a one-time experiment, most often, that I’ve neglected to taste. Sometimes the contents are unremarkable, and I search my paper and computer files for the recipe just to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruits, Pickles | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Brined Cherries, for a Change

Posted on June 23, 2014 by

Pickled fruit? People often ask me that two-word question with a look of mixed astonishment and horror. But in the Anglo-American tradition fruits have commonly been preserved in strong vinegar, along with plenty of sugar, to make sour, sweet, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Fermented foods, Fruits, Pickles | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments