Category Archives: Pickles

A Better Way to Make Cherry Chutney

Posted on July 14, 2017 by

With some of the big, dark cherries the Washington State Fruit Commission sent me last year, I made a tasty chutney. It disappointed me, though. The cherries were so mild in flavor that the spices and vinegar overwhelmed them, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruits, Pickles, Sweet preserves | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fermenting and Storing Kraut in Small Jars, without Pasteurization or Refrigeration

Posted on October 19, 2016 by

I’ve more than once seen Extension home-ec agents roll their eyes when asked if it’s possible to store sauerkraut in the same jar in which it has fermented, with no heating or chilling. Where do such ideas come from? the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fermented foods, Pickles, Preserving science, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

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 , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 , , | 13 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

Fun to Watch, Fun to Eat: Mixed Vegetables Brined in Glass

Posted on November 1, 2015 by

I love to ferment vegetables in gallon glass jars, which I leave on the kitchen counter so I can watch the colors mellow. I especially like to do this with mixed vegetables. A mixed vegetable pickle is not only a … Continue reading →

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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