Homemade Pickles

There is actually more than way of making pickles. The easiest way is the quick process and the simplest can be made in 10 minutes. Others are called the fermented pickle, the refrigerated dill, the fruit pickle, sweet pickle and the pickle relish.

When vegetables are soaked in brine solution for about 4 to 6 weeks, this is called a fermented pickle. When soaked in brine and spices for a day to a week in the fridge and then stored for a month or two in the refrigerator, this is called the refrigerated dill. When a sourer taste is preferred, cucumbers are soaked for a longer period of time. This also makes the cucumbers much softer. When preferred half-sour, cucumbers are soaked for a short period of time and no vinegar is used. In this type, the cucumbers are more firm and crunchy. Fruit pickling is when fruits like peaches and apples are soaked in a sweet, sour and spicy syrup. Sweet pickle is when sweetened syrup is used. One type of a sweet pickle is the bread and butter pickle that is commonly sliced into thin strips and used on hamburgers and sandwiches. When vegetables are chopped into a relish and cooked in a spicy solution of vinegar, this is called a pickle relish.

In making homemade pickles, it is important that cucumbers are chosen very carefully. They should not be too ripe, or too young. A good pickling cucumber should be crisp, firm, have a dark green color and have many wart-like protrusions on its skin. Avoid cucumbers that are yellow in color or those with white spots and have an almost smooth skin. Ripe pickles already have seeds in them and are not good for pickling so choose the ones with no formed seeds yet. Cucumbers for pickling are best if homegrown, just-picked and are no more than 2 inches in diameter. Wash these carefully and cut them into slices.

For a more variety in taste, other vegetables such as onions, garlic and bell peppers are added. These must also be fresh and crisp. Wash these also thoroughly and slice into Vinegar used must also be chosen carefully. Distilled white vinegar is best for pickling, and some use apple cider vinegar for a sweeter taste.

The vinegar is first put to a boil with the salt and sugar. Some recipes omit the sugar. Let this solution boil for 10 minutes. This solution is then poured over a sterile jar where the sliced cucumbers and other vegetables are packed in. It is very important that the jar is sterile and dry before putting the vegetables in. otherwise, the microbes that work during the fermentation process will be contaminated and the cucumber will easily spoil. Let it cool for a few minutes then tightly seal the jar. Store this in the refrigerator and the homemade pickle can then be served the next day.

It's so easy to make and there are numerous recipes to try and experiment. Enjoy this simple home made pickled cucumber!

Pickles In India

The Indian pickles have made its way to the food industry and now it is one of the best selling products in the market. Do not be left out. It is time for you to take a bite of this very delicious side dish. If you are interested, you may surf the internet for the product and you can also place your order online. Everything was made really convenient for you to have this food on your table. It is best to spice up your every meal and these pickles can do that for you. Of course, everybody loves food although each of us has his own eating habit. Some people prefer to eat light while others prefer to eat heavy. The company understands that some side dishes on the stores are very expensive that is why they see to it that this type of pickles will be affordable for every consumer out there. The price is not only so affordable; the quality is the best in the industry. You will not regret purchasing the food.

It is very important for every housewife to prepare the right food for her family. The husband is tired from a whole day of work and the kids come home from school exhausted. The family is expecting a delicious dinner that would be served. Salad is the most common side dish being served at the table but of course you cannot serve salad all the time. You have to prepare other side dish so that your family will enjoy the food. It is not good to have the same side dish everyday. Why don't you try pickles? The people from India manufacture the best tasting pickle ever. You definitely should try this one. Pickling has always been an old Indian tradition and now they have finally opened up this trade to the global market. Other culture can now have a taste of this old Indian tradition that has been handed down from one generation to another. They use unique spices that really give the taste that you could not find in other types of pickles. You might only be thinking of cucumber when the word pickle is mentioned. This is not only so because you can also use other types of fruit such as mango and other types of vegetable like carrot. There are other varieties of pickles to choose from and you can even request the manufacturer to add more spice if you want.

If you want to place an order, just go to the Indian pickles website. You can just Google it and you will be redirected to this page. A lot of people in your area have already tried these pickles and they say that they love the product and they are going to order for more. These pickles are made of natural preservatives so they are safe to eat, you do not have to worry about anything. Take advantage of this specialty from India and you will not regret it. Your family will surely love to eat this side dish and they would even be asking for more.

Home Made Pickle Safety

Ahhhh, there's nothing better than a crunchy, home made pickle. One advantage of making your own is that you can adjust the ingredients to produce the flavors you want. Want them sweet? Sour? Spicy? Just adjust the ingredients and you can have whatever you prefer.

But, are you comfortable feeding them to your friends and family? Are they safe? Here are some tips to help you make sure your pickles are safe.

1. Rule number one, above all others: Discard any preserved food that is mushy or has a foul odor. It is not worth taking a chance if you are not sure they are safe. When in doubt...throw them out!

2. Everything that touches the cucumbers must be sterilized. The jars, lids and all utensils used, must be sterilized. This may be accomplished by submerging in a boiling water bath for a minimum of 10 minutes.

3. The cucumbers used for pickling should be free from bruises or blemishes and, ideally, should be canned within 24 hours of being picked. If you buy cucumbers from the store, use them the same day they are purchased. Do not use waxed cucumbers. Wax interferes with the curing process. Unfortunately, most store-bought cucumbers today are waxed to give them a shiny appearance.

4. Use only trusted recipes. Do not change the amount of vinegar, salt or water called for in the recipe. The ratio of salt to vinegar is a critical element in curing the cucumbers and making safe pickles.

5. The container used for making the brine (salt/vinegar mix) should be stainless steel, aluminum, glass or un-chipped enamel ware. Do not use copper, brass, galvanized or iron utensils. These metals can react with acids or salts and cause undesirable color changes and/or form toxic compounds in the pickles.

6. Used canning jars may be used if they have no cracks or chips. New lids should always be used. Other jars, such as used Mayonnaise jars should not be used since they are difficult to seal properly.

7. After packing the cucumbers in the jars and attaching lids hand tight, they should be processed in a boiling water bath. Follow the instruction in your recipe to determine how long to process. Usually 10-20 minutes. Be aware that if you are at altitudes over 1,000 feet, you must process a little longer. If your recipe does not specify, add 5 minutes to the processing time.

Make sure the boiling water completely covers the top of the jars. Do not start counting the time for processing until the water returns to a full boil after placing the jars in the water.

This is not an all inclusive list of every canning tip, but if you follow the cautions here, you can be fairly comfortable that your home made pickles are safe to eat.

Pickles Variants

Pickles are one of the most interesting foods in the world. They have a great play on flavor and are good for your health. Not all people understand pickles, though. Some don't like their taste, while some just don't like how they look. Not surprising. After all, if you a look at pictures of pickles, all you'll see are damp and wrinkly fruits and vegetables; not exactly appetizing for everyone. Moreover, pickles have a very distinct odor to them. For example, Korean kimchi, a type of pickled food, has a very pronounced stench. Some people can't take this type of smell. However, pickled foods are very healthy. Most of them are very low in calories and contain many vitamins and nutrients. Pickles foods are also great as snacks and side dishes. These can be health alternatives to fried and sweet treats.

Pickling is basically the fermenting of fruits and vegetables using sour or salty mediums. There are many types of pickles. People all over the world do pickling of food. The most famous type of pickle, of course, is the pickled cucumber. Pickled cucumbers are great as snacks. You may also mix them in salads to add flavor. Pickled cucumbers are a great source for Vitamin K. Aside from this, they are very low in calories. But when eating these, remember to drink lots of water as pickled cucumbers are high in sodium. Make sure to wash them down properly to make sure you don't dehydrate yourself.

Another type of pickled food was mentioned above− Korean kimchi. Korean kimchi is basically Chinese cabbage, radish, onions, garlic stems and other vegetables, fermented with salt and different types of Asian seasonings. Kimchi is a staple side dish in Korea; so much that meals in Korea are not complete without it. Also, in Korea, kimchi is served differently depending on the season. Kimchi tastes good, but is renowned for having a very pronounced stench. However, kimchi is very rich in nutrients. It contains high amounts of Vitamin C and carotene. It is also rich in fiber, making great for detoxifying the body.

Sauerkraut is another well-known type of pickled food. Sauerkraut comes from Germany and the word basically translates to sour cabbage. This type of pickle is fermented using different types of lactic acid bacteria, including lactobacillus. Sauerkraut is somewhat similar to coleslaw as both are cabbage-based food. Sauerkraut is a staple food in Germany as it is mixed with various dishes. It contains different vitamins and nutrients, including Vitamin C.

Pickled food can also be enjoyed in other ways. Picked dills, in particular, are very famous for having so many variations. In the United States, picked dills are actually breaded and fried. These are extremely popular in the Southern parts of the United States. These are great and tasty snacks. But since they are friend and breaded, they contain fat. These are less healthy than regular sour dills. However, if you want variation in your pickles, this is definitely worth a try.

Pickles - The Mouth Watering Taste

Pickles are a type of food that is eaten all around the world and is very famous. Pickling is an easy process and is also known as corning or brining. In different parts of the world the same pickle is prepared in different ways. In America and United Kingdom pickle is made using cucumbers in vinegar solution. On the other hand in India and other South Asian countries pickle is made using fruits such as raw mango, lime etc. in oil and salt mixture.

Pickling cucumber is also a common practice in America. The other ingredients are vinegar and spices such as cloves, garlic, mustard or ginger. The brine solution helps preserve food using the anaerobic fermentation which results in pickle. A sour taste in developed as a result. Fermentation causes longer life of the pickle.

In India pickles are made as a side dish. Many fruits and vegetables such as limes, raw mango, pumpkins, rose petals, cauliflower, radish, onion etc. Some pickles are also made using fish as the major ingredient. In India, it is known as "achar". Oil is used for preserving the food and a variety of spices such as cloves, cumin seeds, turmeric, asafetida, salt etc.

The different types of pickles that are eaten all around the world are as follows;
Gherkin is a pickle made of cucumber and vinegar. A kosher dill pickle is made under the supervision of a rabbi which ensures that the non kosher food and utensils do not come in contact with the kosher ones. A substantial amount of garlic is used in making these pickles. Polish and Swedish style pickles are made from cucumbers and are famous in Europe. Indian pickles consist mainly of pickles made of lime and raw mango. Other fruits and vegetables are also used. Bread and butter pickles are the sweet pickles and are served with sandwiches or burgers. Pickles are thus a world famous recipe and are liked by all.