CLASSIC
Classic Icicle Pickles
Fire and Ice Pickles
There’s a debate on whether the name of these pickles comes from their icicle shape, the cooling effect of the vinegar on the palate or the fact that the cucumbers are layered with ice to make them crisp. Regardless, these pickles are a classic to be enjoyed.
The cooling tang of classic icicle pickles, a touch of sweetness and a hit of heat add up to exhilaration in these pickle spears.
Makes about seven pint (500 mL) jars
••• Tip To keep cucumber spears upright when packing them into jars, hold the jar with one hand in a silicone oven mitt, or with a dry towel, and tilt the jar toward you at about a 45-degree angle. Use the other hand or silicone-coated tongs to place the spears upright in the jar, leaning against the bottom inside wall. Gently shake the jar on the angle once it’s full to help the pieces settle, adding more if necessary.
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Vegetable Pickles
31⁄2- to 4-inch (8.5 to 10 cm) pickling
3 lbs 1.5 kg cucumbers 4 cups ice cubes 1L granulated sugar 375 mL 11⁄2 cups 1⁄ cup pickling or canning salt 50 mL 4 6 cups white vinegar 1.5 L 1 ⁄ water 375 mL 1 2 cups 1⁄ cup finely chopped onion 125 mL 2 1 ⁄ 14 14 celery sticks (each 3 by 2 inch/7.5 by 1 cm) Mustard seeds Celery seeds
1. Scrub cucumbers gently under running water. Trim off 1⁄ inch (3 mm) from each end and cut cucumbers lengthwise 8 into quarters. 2. In a large bowl, layer cucumbers and ice cubes, using about one-quarter of each per layer. Add cold water to cover by about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Place a plate on top to weigh down cucumbers. Cover and let stand at a cool room temperature for 3 hours. 3. Meanwhile, prepare canner, jars and lids (see pages 7 to 8). 4. In a colander, working in batches, drain cucumbers. Set aside. 5. In a pot, combine sugar, salt, vinegar and 11⁄2 cups (375 mL) water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often until sugar and salt are dissolved. Boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and keep liquid hot. 6. Working with one jar at a time, place a heaping tablespoon (15 mL) of onion in hot jar. Pack cucumbers and 2 celery sticks into jar, leaving 1 inch (2.5 cm) headspace. Add 1⁄2 tsp (2 mL) mustard seeds and 1⁄4 tsp (1 mL) celery seeds. Pour in hot pickling liquid, leaving 1⁄2 inch (1 cm) headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace as necessary by adding hot pickling liquid. Wipe rim and place hot lid disc on jar. Screw band down until fingertip-tight. 7. Place jars in canner and return to a boil. Process for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, remove canner lid and let jars stand in water for 5 minutes. Transfer jars to a towel-lined surface and let stand for 24 hours. Check lids and refrigerate any jars that are not sealed.
Makes about seven pint (500 mL) jars
••• Tip Fresh chile peppers can vary in heat, so taste a tiny piece (or a bigger piece if you’re brave) to make sure your hot peppers are indeed hot.
3 lbs 31⁄2- to 4-inch (8.5 to 10 cm) pickling cucumbers 4 cups ice cubes granulated sugar 11⁄2 cups 1⁄ cup pickling or canning salt 4 5 cups white vinegar water 21⁄2 cups 7 long hot red chile peppers, seeded and cut lengthwise into 6 strips Mustard seeds
1.5 kg 1L 375 mL 50 mL 1.25 L 625 mL 7
1. Scrub cucumbers gently under running water. Trim off 1⁄ inch (3 mm) from each end and cut cucumbers lengthwise 8 into quarters. 2. In a large bowl, layer cucumbers and ice cubes, using about one-quarter of each per layer. Add cold water to cover by about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Place a plate on top to weigh down cucumbers. Cover and let stand at a cool room temperature for 3 hours. 3. Meanwhile, prepare canner, jars and lids (see pages 7 to 8). 4. In a colander, working in batches, drain cucumbers. Set aside. 5. In a pot, combine sugar, salt, vinegar and 21⁄2 cups (625 mL) water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often until sugar and salt are dissolved. Boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and keep liquid hot. 6. Working with one jar at a time, pack cucumbers and 6 hot pepper strips into each hot jar, leaving 1 inch (2.5 cm) headspace. Add 1⁄2 tsp (2 mL) mustard seeds. Pour in hot pickling liquid, leaving 1⁄2 inch (1 cm) headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace as necessary by adding hot pickling liquid. Wipe rim and place hot lid disc on jar. Screw band down until fingertip-tight. 7. Place jars in canner and return to a boil. Process for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, remove canner lid and let jars stand in water for 5 minutes. Transfer jars to a towel-lined surface and let stand for 24 hours. Check lids and refrigerate any jars that are not sealed.
Vegetable Pickles
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