Saturday was pickling day; for our household, that means bread and butter pickles as well as Million Dollar Relish. So, it's up early for me on Saturday (well, I'm up anyway), assemble the ingredients and get out "ma main men", the 2 guys I couldn't do without on this day -- the food processor and mandolin slicer. I remember the days of hand slicing and dicing!
.
I started with the relish: cucumbers, red & green peppers and onions get chopped really small and then sit in a brine for at least 7-8 hours. The B'n'B pickles don't take as much time: cucumbers and onions get sliced, and after you've washed the blood off that last cucumber and bandaged your thumb (That mandolin is sharp!), you sprinkle with coarse salt and ice cubes and let that sit for 3 hours.
.
Well, timing is everything, right? And coincidentally ..... 3 hours is just enough time to have coffee and a danish from the Farmer's Market before heading to Frenchies for some stellar thrifting. (I got some great Halloween stuff ... but that's another post.)
.
Back home -- wearing a satisfied grin and a sturdy apron -- the hard work begins. There's the sterilizing of all those jars and lids, (Does anyone else keep the 1st batches hot in their oven while subsequent jars are on the boil?), measuring of vinegar, sugar and spices, the rinsing of the cucumber slices, and into the pot it goes. Ummmm! The smell is heavenly! Scoop and fill, scoop and fill, scoop and fill. And later in the day, I get to do it all again for the relish.
.
Well, timing is everything, right? And coincidentally ..... 3 hours is just enough time to have coffee and a danish from the Farmer's Market before heading to Frenchies for some stellar thrifting. (I got some great Halloween stuff ... but that's another post.)
.
Back home -- wearing a satisfied grin and a sturdy apron -- the hard work begins. There's the sterilizing of all those jars and lids, (Does anyone else keep the 1st batches hot in their oven while subsequent jars are on the boil?), measuring of vinegar, sugar and spices, the rinsing of the cucumber slices, and into the pot it goes. Ummmm! The smell is heavenly! Scoop and fill, scoop and fill, scoop and fill. And later in the day, I get to do it all again for the relish.
.
I like to do up little gift packages at Xmas hence the many smaller jars. But what a great day's work!
.
I put my feet up with a glass of wine and listen to the lovely "ping" of those jars sealing.
.
What do you like to can or bottle?
.
.
13 comments:
I agree, I love the sound of the jars sealing "ping". I normally do if from bed after a long day of canning. I also keep my jars in the oven to stay warm. Everything looks yummy!
I only wish I knew how to can and that I had more time! I really admire those (like yourself) that know how to do this - and do it well! My great aunt used to can tons of stuff and I remember gazing in wonder upon her rows of canned goods when I was a child. :-)
I can smell those pickles from here! Good on you for putting in the effort to make pickles.
This is the first year I grew peppers in my garden. I couldn't believe how much better they tasted than what you buy. It's the same for pickles. The ones you make taste much better than what you buy.
Well for my french canadian ears the sound of jars sealing is more 'plink'.
I usually can some salsa and jam. There's not much demand for pickles per se.... :(
I've been putting off my pickling every day now but must get it done as the cukes are softening!! I make Lady Ashburnham pickle relish, a family favorite. I never got them made last year so we are all out. Your pickles sound wonderful but this post reminds me of all the hard work to to it. Bleh!
Years ago, we did some canning because we over- planted, and the plants over-produced. Now, we buy other people's canned foods. I live in farm country, so there is no end of the supply.
Bought all my children mandolin slicers. They now show me all their wounds.
I should can/bottle something. It's satisfying work. My husband would run screaming from the house though as he is a condiment-phobe. Silly husband.
Looks like you had a nice time though!
Wow, this looks amazing. Thank you for stopping by my blog and your lovely comments about my new lamps. Have a great week.
Now, haven't ya done went and gotten yourself into a pickle??? Heehehehe!!!
I'm out catchin' up on summer fun and girl I adore your header!!!!
You are a hoot!
God bless and have a terrific day sweetie!!! :o)
My daughter has been pickling too. She loves it all except pickling eggs for her husband. He's the only one who eats them! lol! Thanks for stopping by today!
Robin
I can almost smell it! What a good idea...doing your pickles in little jars for gift-giving. I've done salsa and pickles...and plan to do some relish.
My slicer is my best friend when i comes to chopping for pickles and salsa!
I love the pictures of your canning efforts. I'm addicted to canning.
I haven't had luck with dill pickles.
Pinging is music to my ears. I've got a day or two of salsa coming up.
Your pickling results look delicious and you put in some hard work creating them.
Post a Comment