Our Favorite Pickled Recipes for Preserving Summer Produce
Did you know that you can pickle just about anything? Really! Cukes aside, a little vinegar brine adds incredible tang and sweetness to fruits and vegetables, from starchy corn to juicy peaches. More than just a centuries-old method of preserving, pickling brings unexpected characteristics out of the produce we eat all the time. They can transform dishes now, two months from now, or well into the winter. Here are a few of our favorite recipes for pickling summer bounty.
Why not start with the classic? Fresh pickles have a firm texture and a more subtle vinegar bite. Pack these tightly into jars like sardines and store for up to a year. Eat out of hand, or mince and add to Pickle and Jalapeño Deviled Eggs or potato salad.
Eating healthy should still be delicious.
Green beans have a similar snap to cucumbers, and their thick skins will help maintain that texture. The sweet and sour profile isn’t as strong as a bread and butter pickle, which makes it more versatile. Top a sandwich like this Pan Bagnat, or stir into pasta salad.
This spicy corn relish is essential in the South, usually for topping a Pulled Chicken Sandwich. It’s light and bright enough that you could scatter over any grilled or seared main, including fish.
Yes, you can pickle tomatoes, and yes, they are delicious. The brine compliments the naturally sweet-tart fruit, which absorbs just enough of the toasted spices in the liquid. Add a couple to Grilled Gazpacho or a bloody Mary.
Beautifully spiced, tangy-sweet pickled peaches are a “make it” topper, completely transforming a slice of pound cake, roasted pork tenderloin, or an antipasto platter. Make sure to start with firm peaches, otherwise they may over soften.
See More Pickling Ideas: