The Joy of Pickling

It’s time for pickles.

We have hit a cool spot in the weather and there is not much else to do but pickle things.

My beets are getting big, but that’s not really a good thing.  I tried a new variety this year.  “Great Storage Beet!” said the catalog.

“Yuck,” said the family.  They usually do turn their noses up at beets, but this time I had to agree.  These beets didn’t taste very good.

So I pulled out my book of pickling recipes and looked up “beets”.

The Joy of Pickling: 250 Flavor-Packed Recipes for Vegetables and More from Garden or Market (Revised Edition) is a book I borrowed from a friend until I was afraid I might send it back too drool stained to be acceptable.  I had to break down and buy a copy for myself.
Last year I tried Linda Ziedrich’s recipe for Pickled Beets with Red Wine.  EVERYONE liked them, including my husband, the big beet hater. This would be the perfect recipe for my less than perfect beet.

I was disappointed that Linda didn’t have a recipe for Pickled Beets with Horseradish, my personal favorite.  I may just need to come up with that one on my own.

Pickled Beets with Horseradish was my standard side order at the Busy Bee Restaurant on Damen Avenue in Chicago until they closed in 1988.  I had to have them.  Whenever a find someone of Polish ancestory who cooks, I ask about Pickled Beets with Horseradish.

“Oh yeah, my mother used to make those,” they usually say.

“Have you got a recipe?” I ask, with hope in my eyes.

No one ever does.  My search continues.

But Linda Ziedrich keeps me busy with pickled beets in red wine (a Central Coast Merlot is GREAT in this recipe).  This year I am trying pickled okra and Armenian Mixed Vegetables.  The Limed Green Tomatoes that I made last year are SO tasty and such a good use for all those leftover green tomatoes. And  I have high hopes for those cucumbers.

Pickling is a great way to keep the summer’s harvest into the winter and there is so much to consider beyond the dill spear.  Pulled pork sandwiches wouldn’t be the same without okra on the side.  My brother called to report that there is okra at the farmer’s market in the city.  My niece and I may need to take a field trip this weekend to get some and do some pickling.  It sounds like a memorable weekend activity to me.
I love having a pickling bible on hand to inspire me and push me to try new things.  Cranberry Ketchup sounds fantastic! This book gets my brain going and my canning pot bubbling.  Well worth it!