Happy "Snack a Pickle Time!"

by Alexa Weibel, Posted Sep 13th 2010 @ 1:15PM

Photo: Stephen Moudry Photography, Flickr

Happy "Snack a Pickle Time!"

Often mistakenly interpreted to include only the green, cucumber variety, the term "pickle" actually refers to any "food that has been preserved in a seasoned brine or vinegar mixture," according to The New Food Lover's Companion. The most pickled food products include cucumbers, cauliflower, pearl onions, baby corn, watermelon rind, herring and pig's feet (!), but the variety of things that can be pickled range as much as the possible pickling flavors, namely sweet, sour or hot.

A plethora of pickling spices are also often used to season pickles, with blends often including allspice, bay leaves, cinnamon, clovers, cardamon, mustard seeds, ginger and peppercorns -- but you can get creative, with everything from fresh herbs like dill to exotic condiments from your refrigerator (Sriracha pickles!). If you're looking for an all-inclusive guide to making your own pickles, we recommend that of The Joy of Pickling: 250 Flavor-Packed Recipes for Vegetables and More from the Garden or Market. But if you're seeking to satisfy an instant craving, we recommend placing an order for some whiskey sour pickles or fennel beets from the pros at Brooklyn Brine company.

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Filed Under: Holidays, How To
Tags: pickle, pickle recipes, snack a pickle time