Homemade Pickles & Relishes

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Barbara H. Ingham Homemade Pickles & Relishes B2267 University of Wisconsin-Extension Cooperative Extension Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

Transcript of Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Page 1: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Barbara H. Ingham

HomemadePickles &Relishes

B2267

University of Wisconsin-Extension Cooperative Extension

Wisconsin Safe FoodPreservation Series

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Fermented pickles 1

Fresh pack or quick process pickles 2

Refrigerator pickles 2

Freezer pickles 2

Use high quality ingredients 3

Vegetables and fruits 3

Start with the right ingredients 4

Water 5

Vinegar 5

Salt 6

Use the right amount of salt 7

Weigh salt for best accuracy 7

Sugar 8

Spices, garlic and dill 8

Grape leaves 9

Firming agents 9

Equipment for fermentedor crock pickles 10

Equipment for all pickles 11

Processing in a boiling watercanner 12

Sterilizing jars 12

Headspace 14

When jars fail to seal 14

Alternative low-temperaturepasteurization process 14

Pickle recipes 15

Fermented or crock pickles 15

Brines for fermented pickles 17

Fermented pickle recipe 18

Fresh pack and quick processrecipes 20

Vegetable pickle recipes 28

Fruit pickle recipes 41

Relish recipes 46

Refrigerator pickle recipes 52

Freezer pickle recipes 54

Family favorite pickle recipes 57

Wisconsin Safe Food PreservationSeries publications 59

Web sites 59

Recipe index 60

Contents

University of Wisconsin-Extension Cooperative Extension

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When your garden yields asurplus of fresh produce,or when the farm stand has

prices too low to resist, then it’s timeto make pickles. Follow the research-tested recipes in this bulletin for safeand easy preparation and preserva-tion of your garden bounty.

Pickling is one of the oldest knownmethods of preserving foods, and along-time favorite among homecanners.While cucumbers are themost popular pickled product,manyother vegetables and fruits can besuccessfully pickled at home.

To the inexperienced person, picklingmay seem to be a complex proce-dure, laden with mysterious stepsand unknown outcomes. In fact, youcan make safe, high quality pickles ifyou remember two basic rules:

1. Use high quality ingredients.

2. Follow tested recipes precisely.

The recipes in this bulletin tell youhow to make two different types ofpickles for canning: fermented orcrock pickles, andfresh pack orquick processpickles andrelishes.

Both types of pickles are preservedby acid.The acid may be:

� acetic acid from commercialvinegar (5 percent acetic acid) —used in fresh pack or quickprocess pickles and relishes — or

� lactic acid produced by bacteriain fermented or crock pickles.

Fermented picklesFermented pickles — also calledcrock pickles — are produced bycuring cucumbers or other vegeta-bles in a salt brine for several weeks.

During this treatment, salt-tolerantbacteria convert carbohydrates(sugars) in the vegetables into lacticacid by a process known as fermen-tation. Lactic acid preserves thepickles and gives them their charac-teristic tangy flavor.

The salt concentration is very impor-tant in this process, and is necessaryto encourage growth of the righttypes of bacteria. For this reason, youwill want to use the exact amountof salt stated in each recipe.

Cucumbers fermented in salt brinewithout added herbs or spices arecalled salt stock. They may be storedin the brine for several months andthen made into sour or sweet pickles.

Cucumbers fermented in salt brinewith added dill, spices and garlicmake genuine dill pickles.Whencompletely cured, the cucumber

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flesh becomes a transparent olive-green.The cured dills are packed incanning jars, covered with boilinghot brine, and heat processed in aboiling water canner for a productthat can be enjoyed all year long.

Fresh pack or quickprocess picklesMany popular kinds of pickles areknown as fresh pack or quickprocess pickles. Fresh pack picklesare not fermented. Instead, a hotsolution of vinegar and salt (andsometimes sugar) is prepared andpoured over the pickles before theyare processed. Pickles prepared inthis way include fresh pack dillpickles, bread-and-butter pickles, andbeet pickles.

Also in this category are:

� Fruit pickles prepared from fruitssuch as peaches, pears or applessimmered in a spicy, sweet-soursyrup.

� Relishes prepared from choppedvegetables or fruits simmered invinegar solutions.

After jars are filled, fresh pack picklesare processed in a boiling watercanner. Such pickles are preserved bythe acetic acid in the added vinegar,and the heat processing. Followtested recipes precisely.

Use the exact amount of vinegarstated in each recipe, or an unsafeproduct may result. Salt or sugarcan be decreased in fresh packpickles with safe results, but picklesmay lack some characteristic flavorand texture.

Refrigerator picklesSome pickle recipes that call forenough vinegar (5 percent aceticacid) can be stored safely in therefrigerator at 40° F or colder for upto 1 month.

These pickles do not require heatprocessing, but they must be keptrefrigerated. Do not decrease theamount of vinegar in these recipes;an unsafe product may result.

Freezer picklesIf you like to make sweet pickles —and want to make them quickly andin the coolest possible way — trymaking freezer pickles.

For some reason, cucumber andother vegetable slices packed invinegar and sugar remain crisp whenfrozen. Freezer pickles taste best ifchilled.Once thawed, these picklesmust be kept refrigerated for usewithin 2 weeks.

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Use high qualityingredientsVegetables and fruitsSelect fresh, firm, high quality veg-etables and fruits for pickling. Discardbruised,moldy or insect-damagedproduce.

Grow or purchase varieties of cucum-bers that are designed for pickling.Pickling cucumbers suited forWisconsin include Alibi, Bush Pickle,Calypso, Diamante, Eureka, Fancipak,Northern Pickling, and HomemadePickles. Using varieties of cucumbersdesigned for pickling will yield a highquality product.

Although pickling cucumbers makegood gherkin pickles at 1 to 2 inches,pickles are more typically made fromcucumbers that are 3 to 5 incheslong.You can leave them whole, orslice them lengthwise into spears orcrosswise into slices or chunks.

When cucumbers grow longer than5 inches, they are best chopped andmade into relish. Fresh-eating“slicing”varieties and ‘‘burpless’’cucumbers can be used in relishes orfor quick process bread-and-butterpickles, but are not suitable for fer-mented pickles or fresh pack dillpickles.

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You can make many typesof delicious pickles.

Fermented pickles

are produced by

fermenting cucum-

bers or other vegetables in a salt brine

for several weeks. During fermentation

or curing, bacteria convert sugars in

the vegetables into lactic acid,which

preserves the pickles and gives them

their characteristic tangy flavor.

Fresh pack or quick process pickles are

quick and easy to prepare.Vegetables

or fruits are packed in jars, covered

with a hot vinegar solution, and imme-

diately heat processed. Also in this

category are pickles prepared from

fruits such as peaches, pears or apples

simmered in a spicy, sweet-sour syrup,

packaged and processed. Relishes are

prepared from chopped vegetables or

fruits simmered in a vinegar solution

before being heat processed.

Refrigerator or freezer pickles can be

prepared without heat processing.

Cucumbers and other vegetables are

packed in a strong vinegar and sugar

solution for storage in the refrigerator

or freezer.

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Wax-coated cucumbers bought fromsupermarkets are not suitable forpickling because of varietal qualities,and because the pickling solutioncannot penetrate the wax coating.

For best quality, pickle fruits or veg-etables within 24 hours of harvest, orrefrigerate for no more than a fewdays.This is particularly important forcucumbers because they deterioraterapidly, and if stored for too long willnot make a quality product.

Just before pickling, sort fruits andvegetables for uniform size accord-ing to recipe directions.Wash care-fully, especially around the stems.Soil trapped near the stem can be asource of bacteria that can causepickles to soften.

Discard floating or damaged cucum-bers, and fruits or vegetables that areover-ripe or damaged.

Remove all blossoms, and cut a 1⁄16-inch slice from the blossom end ofvegetables and discard.The blossomscontain enzymes that can cause soft-ening and result in an unacceptableproduct.

Start with theright ingredients

Select fresh, firm,

high quality veg-

etables and fruits

for pickling.Varieties recommended

forWisconsin can be found in these

publications, available from your

county UW-Extension office or

Cooperative Extension Publications at

the address on the back cover:

Apple Cultivars for Wisconsin A2105

Growing Pumpkins and Other VineCrops inWisconsin A3688

Harvesting Vegetables from the HomeGarden A2727

Home Fruit Cultivars for NorthernWisconsin A2488

Home Fruit Cultivars for SouthernWisconsin A2582

Vegetable Cultivars and Planting Guidefor Wisconsin Gardens A1653

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WaterSoftened water is recommended formaking pickles and relishes. Hardwater usually contains lime—calcium hydroxide — that may:

� decrease acidity, resulting in anunsafe product, and

� contain iron,magnesium orsulfur compounds that cancause discoloration or off-flavors.

If you use hard water, you canremove some of these minerals:

� Boil the water for 15 minutes in alarge kettle, then let the waterstand in the kettle for 24 hours.

� After 24 hours, pour off the watercarefully, leaving sediment in thekettle.

VinegarUse commercial vinegar that is stan-dardized at a 5 percent acetic acidcontent. Use the type of vinegar therecipe calls for, either white vinegaror cider vinegar. If the recipe doesnot specify a particular vinegar, useany of the following commercialvinegars of 5 percent acetic acid.

Note: Many grocery stores nowalso stock 4 percent vinegar.Thisvinegar is not approved for homecanning. Choose carefully.

White vinegar has a mellow aromaand tart acid flavor, and maintainsthe appearance of light-colored veg-etables or fruits.Many recipes specify

white vinegar to ensure uniformflavor and attractive color.

Apple cider vinegar can be a goodchoice for many pickles. Its mellow,fruity taste blends well with otherflavors. But cider vinegar darkensmost vegetables and fruits.

Apple cider flavored distilledvinegar looks and tastes like applecider vinegar, but is made by addingapple cider flavoring to white dis-tilled vinegar. Use this as you woulduse apple cider vinegar.

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To prepare safe,

high quality

pickles, use

softened water, undiluted commercial

white or cider vinegar, canning and

pickling salt and whole spices.

Never use homemade vinegar in making

pickles, or vinegar that has been diluted,

unless specified in the recipe.Otherwise,

an unsafe product may result.

Firming agents such as calcium hydrox-

ide (lime) and aluminum (alum) are not

necessary for pickling and are no longer

recommended.The use of lime in pickles

may result in an unsafe product.

Calcium chloride is used to firm com-

mercial pickles.Tested recipes have not

been developed for using calcium

chloride in home canned products.

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Do not dilute vinegar unless therecipe specifies. An unsafe productmay result. If you want a less sourproduct, add sugar rather than usingless vinegar.Vinegar also losesstrength as you boil it, so followrecipe instructions precisely.

Do not use homemade vinegar inmaking pickles.The acetic acidcontent of homemade vinegar ishighly variable and may be too lowto ensure safety.

Vinegar may naturally containsediment in the bottom of the bottle.You can remove the sediment bystraining the vinegar through doublelayers of cheesecloth. Avoid using ametal strainer, as it may darken thevinegar.

SaltCanning and pickling salt—puregranulated salt — is recommendedfor use in all kinds of pickles.This saltdoes not contain anti-caking agentsor iodine, and is available in mostsupermarkets. Recipes in this bookletcall for canning and pickling salt.

Never alter salt concentrations infermented pickles. Proper fermen-tation depends on correct propor-tions of salt and other ingredients.

Kosher pure flaked salt requiresspecial care if used for pickling.Flaked salt weighs less per volumethan canning and pickling salt, soyou need about 50 percent more —11⁄2 cups of flaked salt equals about1 cup of canning and pickling salt.

If you use kosher salt for fermentedpickles, you must weigh out theproper amount.Weigh out 73⁄4ounces (220 grams) of flaked salt,and you will have the equivalent of1 cup of canning and pickling salt.

Kosher salt is more expensive thancanning and pickling salt, and maybe harder to find.

Dairy salt used in making cheesecan also be used in making pickles,since it is pure salt. For best accuracy,weigh out 73⁄4 ounces (220 grams) ofdairy salt per cup of salt in a recipe.No other adjustments in the recipeare necessary.

Reduced-sodium (‘‘light’’) saltsmay be used in fresh pack or quickprocess pickles only, but maychange the flavor. For best results,use tested recipes designed to belower in sodium.

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Plain table salt, iodized table saltand sea salt are not recommendedfor pickling.Table salt contains anti-

caking ingredients that make thepickling solution cloudy and leavesediment at the bottom of the jar.Iodine may also darken pickles, inaddition to producing a cloudy brine.

If you find you must use table salt,sea salt or salt substitutes forpickling, use these only for freshpack or quick process pickles.Avoid using these for fermentedpickles.The potassium chloride insalt substitutes cannot substitute forsodium chloride in the brines for fer-mented pickles.

Ice cream salt, rock salt and solarsalt should not be used for pickling.These salts are not considered food-grade, and contain impurities thatcan cause discoloration or otherdefects in pickled products.

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Use the rightamount of salt

Recipes in this pub-

lication call for

canning and

pickling salt. If you use other pure salt

such as kosher salt or dairy salt for

making fermented pickles,weigh salt

to equal each cup of canning and

pickling salt. For the same weight,

measures will vary (see chart below).

Plain or iodized table salt, sea salt,

reduced-sodium salts and salt substi-

tutes may be used for making fresh

pack or quick process pickles, but may

not yield a quality product. Ice cream

salt, rock salt and solar salt are not

considered food-grade and should not

be used for pickling.

Type of salt Weight equivalent Measure

Canning and pickling salt (Morton®)* 73⁄4 oz. (220 g.) 1 cup

Kosher flaked salt (Diamond Crystal®)* 73⁄4 oz. (220 g.) 11⁄2 cups

* Reference to products is not intended to endorse them, nor to exclude others thatmay be similar. If you use these products, follow the manufacturer’s current labeldirections.

oz. = ounce g. = gram

Weigh salt for best accuracy

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SugarEither white granulated sugar orbrown sugar can be used in picklerecipes, depending on your prefer-ence and the product color youdesire.

Some honey could be used inmaking the sweet-sour syrup for fruitpickles. But substitute sparingly —too much honey can mask fruitflavor.

Sugar substitutes (artificial sweet-eners) are not recommended inpickling because the heat processingrequired may cause a bitter flavor.

Spices, garlic and dillMost pickle recipes call for wholespices for fresher and more concen-trated flavor than ground spices.Spices deteriorate and lose theirpungency in heat and humidity.Store any unused spices in an air-tight container in a cool place.

To keep spices from discoloringpickles, tie them in a cheesecloth bagbefore adding to the pickling solution.After simmering in the picklingsolution, remove the spice bag.

Garlic should be mature and freefrom dark spots or discoloration.Separate the bulb into cloves.Tapeach clove with a knife to easilyloosen and peel off the thin paperyskin.

Dill heads— fresh green-seededheads of the dill plant — are best formaking dill pickles.

If dill is ready before cucumbers arein season, store it in the freezer asfollows:

� Cut fresh dill heads, wash ifneeded, shake off excessmoisture, and allow to air dry foran hour.

� Place dill heads in a heavy food-grade plastic bag, seal, label andfreeze.

You can also hold early dill by placingfreshly washed heads in a large cleanjar and covering the heads with undi-luted commercial white or cidervinegar (5 percent acetic acid). Coverthe jar and keep it in a cool placeuntil you are ready to make dillpickles. Use the dill-flavored vinegarwith the dill heads as you make freshpack dill pickles later on.

Fresh dill leaves, dried leaves (dillweed) or dried dill seeds can beused if fresh dill heads are notavailable.

Try this substitution: 1 tablespoonof dried dill seed or weed equalsabout one fresh dill head.

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Grape leavesGrape leaves have historically beenused in fermented pickles. Peoplefound that if they placed grapeleaves in the crock or brine duringfermentation, cucumbers were lesslikely to soften.

Researchers later discovered thatgrape leaves contain varyingamounts of a natural inhibitor thatreduces the effect of a softeningenzyme found on moldy cucumberblossoms.

If you remove the blossom endbefore soaking cucumbers in brine,you do not need to use grape leavesas a firming agent. Gently washcucumbers and then trim a thin slice(1⁄16 inch) from the blossom end anddiscard.

Firming agentsIf you use freshly picked cucumbers,follow an up-to-date, tested recipe,and heat process pickles for thecorrect length of time. Pickles willturn out crisp and you won’t need toadd firming agents.

A recommended method for makingcrisp pickles is to soak cucumbers inice water for 4 to 5 hours beforepickling.

Use of a firming agent is not recom-mended. These are mentioned hereonly to describe the conditionsunder which they may be safelyused.

Most firming agents provide calcium,which combines with natural pectinin vegetables and fruit to formcalcium pectate, giving the pickles afirmer texture.

Food grade calcium chloride isused commercially to firm pickles. Itis available at some home canningsupply stores. Use at a rate of nomore than:

� 1 teaspoon per gallon ofpickling solution in fresh packpickles.

� 1 teaspoon per gallon of brinein fermented pickles.

Tested recipes using calcium chlorideare not currently available to homecanners.

Calcium hydroxide— also calledpickling lime or slaked lime— isavailable at some supermarkets orthrough home and garden catalogs.Do not use agricultural or burntlime; this is not food-grade.

Food-grade pickling lime can besafely used only if you follow eachof these three rules:

1. Lime is used as a lime-watersolution as an initial soak forfresh cucumbers 12 to 24 hoursbefore pickling them. It must notbe added to the final brine orpickling solution.

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2. Lime is added at a rate of nomore than 2 tablespoons pergallon of water in the soakingsolution.

3. Excess lime absorbed bycucumbers is removed byrinsing. To remove excess lime,drain the lime-water solution,rinse and then cover the cucum-bers in fresh water. Soak in waterfor 1 hour.Repeat rinsing andsoaking two more times.

Caution: To make safe pickles, excesslime absorbed by cucumbers mustbe rinsed off thoroughly aftersoaking.Do not add lime to thepickling solution; use only as aninitial soak. Lime does not dissolvewell in water, and may be slightlycaustic (sting). Handle with care.Avoid inhaling lime dust whilemixing the lime-water solution. Keepout of reach of children.

Aluminum, found in alum, alsocombines with natural pectin to firmthe pickles’ texture.While alum haslong been used in home picklemaking, it can give pickles an objec-tionable bitter or astringent flavor.

Alum is not recommended and isnot included in the recipes in thisbulletin. If you choose to use alum,use it only for fermented cucum-bers. Alum does not work with freshpack or quick process pickles.

Equipmentfor fermentedor crock picklesContainer for brining pickles—Use a clean container, usually 2 to 5gallons in size. Any of the followingwould be an appropriate container:

� Crock or stone jar free of chipsand with a good glaze on theinterior surface.

� Heavy food-grade plastic con-tainer in which food productswere originally packed, includingplastic ice cream buckets andpails — If you are not surewhether a plastic container is safefor food, read its label or contactthe manufacturer. Another optionis to line the questionable con-tainer with several thicknesses offood-grade plastic bags.

� Stainless steel or glass container— Do not use copper, brass, gal-vanized steel or iron containers orutensils. These metals react withacids or salt, discoloring pickles orforming dangerous compounds.

Cover and weight—A large glass orchina plate that will fit inside thecontainer is suitable for holding veg-etables beneath the brine.Weigh itdown by placing a sealed, water-filled jar on top of the plate.The veg-etables should be covered by 1 to 2inches of brine.

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Another method for sealing a crock isto fill a heavy-duty food-grade plasticbag with 2 to 3 inches of brine, sealthe bag, and place it on the top ofthe crock, allowing it to completelycover the surface of the brine. Fillingthe bag with brine is a precaution, incase the bags are accidentally punc-tured.

Caution: Do not use plastic garbagebags for food storage.The chemicalsused to manufacture non-food-gradeplastic containers and bags may notbe safe for food.

Equipmentfor all picklesContainer for heating picklingsolution—Use a large stainlesssteel, aluminum or unchipped enam-elware pan or kettle for heating thepickling solution. Do not use copper,brass, galvanized steel or iron con-tainers or utensils. These metals reactwith acids or salt, discoloring picklesor forming dangerous compounds.

Measuring equipment—Usestandard cup and spoon measuresfor all liquid or dry ingredients.Kitchen scales are needed if recipesspecify quantities of ingredients byweight, or if you substitute kosherflaked salt for canning and picklingsalt.

Canning jars and lids— Standardhome canning jars are recom-mended for pickled products.However, because the processingtime for pickles is short, glass jarsused to pack commercial productssuch as mayonnaise can be used —but only if standard two-piececanning lids fit their threaded rims.Do not reuse jars from commercialfood products that are designed forone-time use, such as peanut butter,jelly, canned vegetables or pickles.Most recipes call for pint or quartjars. Use only the size jar specified ineach recipe. Safe processing timesmay not have been calculated forlarger jars. If you use 11⁄2 pint jars,process them as if they were quarts.

Lids—Use new two-piece vacuumseal lids, consisting of a flat metal lidwith sealing compound and areusable metal screw band. Pretreatlids as the package directs.

Caution: Porcelain-lined zinc capsand rubber rings have not beenmade for years, and are not recom-mended.

Boiling water canner—A boilingwater canner is a large kettle with atight-fitting cover and a rack to keepjars from resting on the bottom.Thecanner should be deep enough forwater to cover the tops of the jars by1 or 2 inches without boiling over.The diameter of the canner shouldbe no more than 4 inches wider thanthe diameter of your stove’s burner

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to ensure proper heat treatment forall jars. Do not use a large wash kettlethat fits over two burners becausethe middle jars may not get enoughheat.

A deep pressure canner can be usedas a boiling water canner. Just be surethe canner is deep enough to allowfor 1 to 2 inches of briskly boilingwater above the jar lids. Fill thepressure canner with hot water, addjars and enough water to cover themby 1 to 2 inches, and place the lid onthe canner. But do not lock the lid inplace, and leave the petcock open orweighted pressure control off.

Other equipment you may need—Candy or jelly thermometer (if youpasteurize pickles), bowls,mixingspoons, timer, jar-filling supplies(funnel, ladle, rubber spatula, lid andjar lifters), pot holders, wire rack,labeling supplies.

Processing in a boilingwater cannerExcept for refrigerator or freezerpickles, pickle products require heattreatment after jars are filled toobtain a safe, high quality product.Heat processing seals jars anddestroys harmful organisms andenzymes that can cause spoilage,softening or off-flavors.

For adequate heating, process in aboiling water canner for the correctlength of time.

Follow these steps for processingpickles and relishes in a boiling watercanner:

1. Pretreat two-piece lids as thepackage directs.

2. Thoroughly wash and rinse jars.Keep them hot until you fill them.If you have a dishwasher, run themthrough a complete cycle andkeep them hot in the dishwasher.

3. Pack hot jars with vegetables orfruit. Fill one jar at a time with thepickle product—with rawcucumber for fresh pack dills, orwith a heated pickle product.Donot pack too tightly. Immediately fillthe jar with a boiling hot picklingsolution, leaving the proper amountof headspace between the top ofthe liquid and the top of the jar (seeillustration on page 14).Whencanning pickles and relishes,mostrecipes call for 1⁄2-inch headspace.

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Sterilizing jars

If the recipe calls for a short pro-cessing time— less than 10minutes — wash jars in warm,soapy water, and rinse.Sterilizejars by boiling for 10 minutes.Keep hot until filled.

Recipes for refrigerator picklesare not heat processed, and jarsmust also be sterilized by boilingfor 10 minutes before filling.

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4. Remove air bubbles by sliding arubber spatula or bubble freerbetween the food and the sides ofthe jar in several places.Add hotbrine or pickling solution as neededto adjust headspace to recom-mended level.Wipe jar rims with aclean,damp cloth or towel. Placethe lid on the jar. Screw the metalband on firmly,but not too tightly.

5. Place filled jars in a boiling watercanner that has sufficient very hotwater (140˚ to 170˚ F) in it to coverthe jars and lids by at least 1 inch.Add boiling water carefully aroundjars if needed to bring the waterlevel in the canner to 1 to 2 inchesabove the jar lids. Do not pourboiling water directly on jar lids.

6. Put the cover on the canner.Whenthe water returns to a full rollingboil, start counting the processingtime.Add 5 minutes processingtime forWisconsin elevationsabove 1,000 feet.

7. When the processing time iscomplete, carefully remove jarsfrom the canner, without tilting,and place them upright on a rackor counter. Do not cover the jarsduring cooling. Do not retightenthe bands on two-piece lids, eventhough they may be loose. If liquidhas boiled out during processing,do not remove the lid to addmore. As the jars cool, the lids willsnap down in the center.

8. When jars have cooled, test for seal.Lid tops should be depressed andremain that way, and will ring whentapped with a spoon.After 24hours or when jars are cool, youcan carefully remove the screwbands.Wash and dry the jar lidsand threads. Store jars withoutscrew bands in a cool, dry place outof direct sunlight for up to 1 year.

H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 13

Elevation mapRemember to adjust for eleva-tion above sea level when pro-cessing pickles and relishes.Consult the elevation map, or callyour county Land Informationoffice (listed under county govern-ment in your phone book). If youshare recipes with friends and rela-tives, be sure to include adjust-ments for changes in elevation.

Elevation above 1,000 feet

Elevation below 1,000 feet

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When jars fail to sealIf any jars fail to seal, refrigerate thejars and consume the pickles or relishwithin 1 week.

You can also reprocess pickles andrelishes within 24 hours:

� Remove the contents of the jars.

� Reheat the pickling solution orbrine to boiling.

� Repack into clean, hot jars leavingproper headspace, removebubbles, wipe jar rims clean andcap with new pretreated lids.

� Process in a boiling watercanner for the full length oftime.

Alternativelow-temperaturepasteurization processLow-temperature pasteurization canproduce a better pickle texture, butmust be done very carefully to avoidspoilage and is only acceptable forcertain recipes.

Fill jars with room temperature pickles.Pour 165° to 180° F liquid over theproduct, leaving the appropriate head-space. Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe the jars clean and adjustlids.

Process at 180˚ F for 30 minutes.Be sure to use a thermometer.

Caution:Use this process only whena recipe indicates (see sweet picklerecipes, pages 22-27).

Reprinted with permission from Complete Guide to Home Canning.AgricultureInformation Bulletin No. 539 (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture),1994: http://extension.usu.edu/publica/foodpubs.htm

headspace

lid

level of liquid

Headspace

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Pickle recipesHundreds of pickle recipes can befound in cookbooks and referencebooks published by canning equip-ment makers — but not all are testedto ensure safety.The recipes in thispublication are tested to ensure bothsafety and quality. Follow recipes pre-cisely, adding the proper proportionsof ingredients, and processing thefinal product for the correct length oftime.

In many cases, you can make slightadjustments in spices. But be sure tokeep proportions of vegetables orfruit, vinegar and water unchanged,and preparation steps intact.

For fermented pickles, you must alsoadd the exact proportion of saltcalled for in each recipe.

Follow heat processing instructionsaccurately to produce safe, highquality pickles. Follow the steps onpages 12-13 for safe processing.

Fermented or crock picklesFermented pickles — like Grandmaused to make in a crock — use bene-ficial bacteria naturally present toconvert cucumbers into pickles.Beneficial or “good”bacteria producethe acid that gives these pickles theirfamiliar taste — and also preservethem so they can be processed andstored in a jar for up to 1 year.

Cucumbers or other vegetables arefermented in a salt brine for severalweeks to prepare these pickles.

Do not alter the amount of salt infermented pickles. Salt concentra-tion is very important in fermenta-tion.

� Too little salt will cause microbesto grow and allow spoilage tooccur.

� Too much salt will slow thegrowth of desirable lactic acid-producing bacteria.

Accurately measure salt and waterfor pickle brine. If you substitutekosher flaked or dairy salt forcanning and pickling salt, weigh outsalt to make sure you have substi-tuted the correct amount: 1 cupcanning and pickling salt weighs 73⁄4ounces (220 grams). See “Weigh saltfor best accuracy” chart on page 7.

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The chart on the next page lists theproportions of canning and picklingsalt and water required for variousbrine strengths.

When cucumbers are placed in brine,they lose water and weight andbecome somewhat flexible orrubbery.

As cucumbers soak in the brine, theygradually absorb salt and becomefirm, crisp and tender.More salt isadded during brining to keep thebrine strong enough.

Properly fermented cucumbers willbreak when you bend them, and maygain weight as they absorb salt water.They will absorb sugar, vinegar andflavorings more readily than will freshcucumbers.The color inside curedcucumbers is a uniform translucentolive-green, in contrast with opaquewhite fresh cucumber flesh.

During fermentation, cucumbersmust be kept beneath the surface ofthe brine. A plate weighed down witha water-filled jar or a heavy-dutyfood-grade plastic bag filled withbrine can keep the vegetables sub-merged.

Complete curing will take from 4 to 8weeks, depending on the tempera-ture during fermentation.

Good quality pickles may beproduced when the crock is storedbetween 70˚ and 75° F.Temperaturesof 55˚ to 65° F are also acceptable,but fermentation will take longer.

Avoid temperatures above 80˚ F,because pickles will become soft andmay spoil.

After fermentation is complete,pickles should be heat processed in aboiling water canner. Canned fer-mented pickles can be stored on theshelf for up to 1 year.

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H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 17

The recipes in this

bulletin call for

canning and

pickling salt. If you substitute kosher

flaked salt, for best accuracy weigh

73⁄4 ounces (220 grams) kosher salt

per cup of canning and pickling salt.

For fresh pack or quick process pickles

only, you may use plain or iodized

table salt, sea salt, reduced-sodium

salt or salt substitutes. But using these

may not yield a quality product. Ice

cream salt, rock salt and solar salt

should not be used in any pickle

recipe.These salts are not considered

food-grade, and may be unsafe to use.

Brines for fermented pickles

Brine strength Proportion of% salt salt and water Use

5% 3⁄4 cup (5.8 oz. or 164 g.) Short-term brining ofsalt per gallon of water cucumbers, green tomatoes,

green snap beans

10% 11⁄2 cups (11.6 oz. or 329 g.) Starting concentrationsalt per gallon of water for brining cucumbers

and cauliflower

15% 21⁄4 cups (19.2 oz. or 544 g.) Final brine strength forsalt per gallon of water cucumbers and cauliflower

Note:

g. = gram

lb. = pound

oz. = ounce

tbsp. = tablespoon

tsp. = teaspoon

1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups

Page 20: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

18 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

Dill pickles

4 lbs. pickling cucumbers,3 to 6 inches long

4 to 5 heads fresh or dry dill weed,or 2 tbsp. dill seed

1⁄2 cup canning and pickling salt1⁄4 cup vinegar (5% acetic acid)

8 cups water

One or more of the following:2 tsp.whole mixed pickling spice

(optional)

2 garlic cloves, peeled (optional)

2 dried red peppers (optional)

1. Wash cucumbers, and drain on a rackor wipe dry. Handle gently to avoidbruising.Trim 1⁄16 inch from theblossom end and discard. But leave1⁄4-inch stem attached. Place half ofdill and spices on the bottom of aclean crock or a container of glass orfood-grade plastic. Add cucumbers,remaining dill, and spices.

2. Mix the vinegar and water together.Add salt and stir to dissolve. Pour thevinegar and salt mixture over cucum-bers.

3. Cover with a heavy plate or lid that fitsinside the crock or container.

4. Use a weight to hold the plate downand keep the cucumbers under thebrine. Cover the crock loosely with aclean cloth. Keep pickles at room tem-perature (70˚ to 75° F). Temperaturesof 55˚ to 65˚ F are acceptable, butthen fermentation will take 5 to 6weeks. Avoid temperatures above80˚ F, or pickles will become too softduring fermentation. Do not stirpickles around in the container, but besure they are completely covered withbrine. If necessary,make more brineusing the original proportions.Remove scum daily.Most scum can beavoided if you use a brine-filled bag toseal the crock. See page 16.

Caution: If the pickles become softor slimy, or develop a disagreeableodor, discard them.

5. In about 3 weeks, the cucumbers willhave become olive green and shouldhave a desirable flavor.

6. Once the fermentation is complete,heat process pickles for storage.Toprocess fermented dill pickles, drainthe pickles, collecting the fermenta-tion brine. Strain the fermentationbrine through a double layer ofcheesecloth or paper coffee filters intoa large pan. Heat to boiling, andsimmer for 5 minutes.

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Some people dislike the flavor andcloudiness of the fermentation brine, andprefer to prepare fresh brine for canning.

To make fresh brine:Add 1⁄2 cup salt and 1 quart vinegar (5%acetic acid) to 1 gallon water. Heat toboiling, and simmer for 5 minutes.

7. Pack the fermented pickles and someof the dill into clean, hot quart jars. Donot pack too tightly. Add a fresh garlicclove to each jar, if desired. Cover withhot brine, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean,damp cloth.

8. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

9. Process in a boiling water canner: 10minutes for pints, 15 minutes forquarts.*

Note: This recipe requires about 3 weeksfor the cucumbers to ferment when thecrock is stored at 70˚ to 75° F.

Yield: 9 to 10 quarts

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F E R M E N T E D P I C K L E R E C I P E

Make Your Own Sauerkraut (B2087) isavailable from your county UW-Extensionoffice or Cooperative ExtensionPublications (learningstore.uwex.edu).

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

Page 22: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Bread-and-butterpickle slices

6 lbs. pickling cucumbers,4 to 5 inches long,orslender zucchini or yellow squash(1 to 11⁄2 inches in diameter)

8 cups onions (about 3 pounds),peeled and thinly sliced

1⁄2 cup canning and pickling salt

Crushed or cubed ice

1 cup pickling lime (optional,see directions for firmer pickles)

Pickling solution:41⁄2 cups sugar

4 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

2 tbsp.mustard seed

11⁄2 tbsp. celery seed

1 tbsp. ground mustard

1. Wash cucumbers or squash carefully.Trim 1⁄16 inch from the blossom endand discard. Cut into 3⁄16-inch slices.Combine cucumbers or squash andsliced onions in a large bowl. Add salt.Cover with 2 inches crushed or cubedice. Refrigerate 3 to 4 hours, addingmore ice as needed. Drain.

Or:

For firmer pickles:Wash cucumbersor squash carefully.Trim 1⁄16 inch fromthe blossom end and discard. Cut into3⁄16-inch slices.Mix 1 cup picklinglime, 1⁄2 cup salt and 1 gallon water ina 2- to 3-gallon crock, glass or enamel-ware container.Caution: Avoidinhaling lime dust while mixing thelime-water solution.Cover and soakcucumbers in lime-water solution for12 to 24 hours, stirring occasionally.Remove cucumbers from limesolution, rinse well and resoak 1 hourin fresh cold water. Repeat the rinsingand soaking step two more times.Rinse and drain. Handle carefully, asslices will be brittle. Drain well.

2. Prepare pickling solution by combin-ing sugar, vinegar and spices in a largekettle. Bring to a boil, and boil 10minutes. Add well-drained cucumbers(or squash) and onions, and slowlyreheat to a boil.

3. Fill clean, hot pint or quart jars withslices and pickling solution, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove bubbles witha rubber spatula.Wipe jar rims with aclean, damp cloth.

4. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner:10 minutes for pints or quarts.*

Note:After processing and cooling, storejars for 4 to 5 weeks to develop idealflavor.

Yield: 7 to 8 pints

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*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

Page 23: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Dill pickles, quick process

8 lbs. pickling cucumbers,3 to 5 inches long

2 gallons water3⁄4 cups canning and pickling salt

Pickling solution:11⁄2 quarts vinegar (5% acetic acid)1⁄2 cup canning and pickling salt1⁄4 cup sugar

2 quarts water

2 tbsp.whole mixed pickling spice

3 to 4 tbsp.whole mustard seed(1 tsp. per pint jar)

10 to 12 fresh dill heads,washed(11⁄2 heads per pint jar),or 1 tbsp. dillseed or dill weed per pint jar

1 or 2 garlic cloves per jar, peeled(optional)

1. Wash cucumbers carefully.Trim 1⁄16inch from the blossom end anddiscard. But leave 1⁄4-inch stemattached.

2. Prepare brine by dissolving 3⁄4 cupssalt in 2 gallons water. Pour overcucumbers, cover and let stand12 hours. Drain.

3. Prepare pickling solution of vinegar,1⁄2 cup salt, sugar and 2 quarts waterin a large saucepan. Add mixedpickling spices tied in a clean cheese-cloth bag. Heat to boiling. Remove thespice bag.

4. Pack cucumbers into clean, hot pint orquart jars, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.If desired, add 1 teaspoon mustardseed, 11⁄2 fresh dill heads and 1 or 2garlic cloves per jar. Cover cucumberswith hot pickling solution, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove bubbles witha rubber spatula.Wipe jar rims with aclean, damp cloth.

5. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner:10 minutes for pints, 15 minutes forquarts.*

Yield: 7 to 9 pints

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F R E S H PA C K & Q U I C K P R O C E S S R E C I P E S

Page 24: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Dill pickles, reduced sodium

4 lbs. pickling cucumbers,3 to 5 inches long

6 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

6 cups sugar

2 tbsp. canning and pickling salt

11⁄2 tsp. celery seed

11⁄2 tsp.mustard seed

2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced

8 fresh dill heads

1. Wash cucumbers carefully.Trim1⁄16 inch from the blossom end anddiscard. Cut cucumbers into1⁄4-inch slices.

2. Combine vinegar, sugar, salt, celeryseeds and mustard seeds in a largesaucepan. Bring mixture to a boil.

3. Place 2 slices onion and 1⁄2 dill headon the bottom of each clean, hot pintjar. Fill jars with cucumber slices,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Add 1 sliceonion and 1⁄2 dill head on top. Pourhot pickling solution over cucumberslices, leaving 1⁄4-inch headspace.Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean,damp cloth.

4. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner:15 minutes for pints.*

Yield: 8 pints

o

Quick sweet pickles

1 gallon pickling cucumbers,3 to 4 inches long (about 8 lbs.)

1⁄3 cup canning and pickling salt

Crushed or cubed ice

1 cup pickling lime (optional, for firmerpickles — see variation, next page)

Pickling solution:41⁄2 cups sugar

31⁄2 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

2 tsp. celery seed

1 tbsp.whole allspice

2 tbsp.mustard seed

1. Gently wash cucumbers.Trim 1⁄16 inchfrom the blossom and discard. Butleave 1⁄4-inch stem attached. Slicecucumbers, or cut into strips.

2. Place cucumbers in a bowl andsprinkle with 1⁄3 cup salt. Cover with 2inches of cubed or crushed ice.Refrigerate 3 to 4 hours. Add more iceas needed. Drain well.

3. Combine sugar, vinegar, celery seed,allspice and mustard seed in a 6-quartkettle to make the pickling solution.Heat to a boil.

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F R E S H PA C K & Q U I C K P R O C E S S R E C I P E S

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

Page 25: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

4. Hot pack—Add cucumbers topickling solution and heat slowly untilvinegar solution returns to a boil. Stiroccasionally to make sure the mixtureheats evenly. Fill hot, sterilized pint orquart jars (see page 12) withcucumber slices or strips, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Cover with boilinghot pickling solution, leaving 1⁄2-inchheadspace. Remove bubbles with arubber spatula.Wipe jar rims with aclean, damp cloth. Cap jars with pre-treated lids. Adjust lids.Process in a boiling water canner:5 minutes for pints or quarts.*

Or:

Raw pack— Fill clean, hot pint orquart jars with drained cucumberslices or strips, leaving 1⁄2-inch head-space. Cover with boiling hot picklingsolution, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean,damp cloth. Cap jars with pretreatedlids. Adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner: 10minutes for pints, 15 minutes forquarts.* Or use low-temperaturepasteurization (see page 14).

Note:After processing and cooling, storejars for 4 or 5 weeks to develop full flavor.

Variation for firmer pickles:Washcucumbers.Trim 1⁄16 inch from theblossom end and discard. But leave 1⁄4-inch stem attached. Cut cucumbers intoslices or strips.Mix 1 cup pickling limeand 1⁄3 cup salt in 1 gallon water in a 2-to 3-gallon crock or enamelware con-tainer. Caution: Avoid inhaling lime dustwhile mixing the lime-water solution.Soak cucumber slices or strips in limewater solution for 12 to 24 hours, stirringoccasionally. Remove from lime solution.Rinse, and soak for 1 hour in fresh coldwater. Repeat the rinsing and resoakingtwo more times. Handle carefully,because slices or strips will be brittle.Drain well. Pack jars and process asdirected for hot or raw pack.

Yield: 7 to 9 pints

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F R E S H PA C K & Q U I C K P R O C E S S R E C I P E S

Page 26: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Sweet 4-day gherkins orchunk pickles

5 quarts whole small cucumbers,11⁄2 to 3 inches long (7 lbs.) ormedium cucumbers (7 to 8 lbs.)

1⁄2 cup canning and pickling salt

Pickling solution:8 cups sugar

6 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)3⁄4 tsp. turmeric

2 tsp. celery seed

2 tbsp.whole mixed pickling spice

2 sticks cinnamon

Day 1Morning:Wash cucumbers thoroughly and removeall blossoms; drain.Trim 1⁄16 inch fromthe blossom end and discard. But leave1⁄4-inch stem attached. Place cucumbersin a large container and add boilingwater to cover. Let stand, covered, atroom temperature (65° to 75° F).

Afternoon (6 to 8 hours later):Drain cucumbers and return to container.Sprinkle with 1⁄4 cup salt and cover withfresh boiling water. Let stand, covered, atroom temperature.

Day 2Afternoon:Drain cucumbers and return to container.Sprinkle with 1⁄4 cup salt and cover withfresh boiling water. Let stand, covered, atroom temperature.

Day 3Morning:Drain. For gherkins (small cucumbers),prick cucumbers in several places with atable fork. Cut medium cucumbers inchunks or slices 1⁄2-inch thick. Returnwhole cucumbers or slices to container.Make pickling solution of 3 cups sugarand 3 cups vinegar. Add turmeric andother spices. Heat to boiling and pourover cucumbers. Cucumbers may be onlypartially covered at this point.

Afternoon (6 to 8 hours later):Drain cucumbers, reserving picklingsolution. Return cucumbers to container.Add 2 cups sugar and 2 cups vinegar tothe reserved pickling solution. Heat to aboil, and pour over pickles.

Day 4Morning:Drain cucumbers, reserving picklingsolution. Return cucumbers to container.Add 2 cups sugar and 1 cup vinegar tothe reserved pickling solution. Heat to aboil, and pour over pickles.

Afternoon (6 to 8 hours later):Drain cucumbers, collecting picklingsolution in a large saucepan. Add remain-ing 1 cup sugar to pickling solution. Heatto a boil. Pack cucumbers into clean, hotpint jars and cover with boiling picklingsolution, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Wipe jar rims with a clean, damp cloth.Cap jars with pretreated lids. Adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner:5 minutes for pints* or use low-temper-ature pasteurization (see page 14).

Yield: 9 to 10 pints

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Page 27: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Sweet 14-day cucumberor cauliflower pickles

4 to 6 quarts whole pickling cucumbers,2 to 5 inches long (4 lbs.) or freshcauliflower, separated into flowerets(4 lbs.)

3⁄4 cup canning and pickling salt,separated (1⁄4 cup on each of the 1st,3rd and 5th days)

Pickling solution:2 tsp. celery seed

2 tbsp.mixed pickling spices

51⁄2 cups sugar

4 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

Day 1Wash cucumbers carefully.Trim 1⁄16 inchfrom the blossom end and discard. Butleave 1⁄4-inch stem attached.Wash cauli-flower well. Pack carefully washed wholecucumbers or cauliflower flowerets into asuitable 1-gallon container. Add 1⁄4 cupsalt to 2 quarts water and bring to a boil.Pour over cucumbers or cauliflower.Weigh down vegetables with a plate tokeep them submerged, and cover thecontainer with a clean towel. Allow tostand for 2 days at about 70° F.

Days 3 and 5

Drain off brine and discard. Rinse vegeta-bles. Remove any scum that has formed.Scald the container, cover, and dish orplate used to weigh down vegetables.Return vegetables to container. Add 1⁄4cup salt to 2 quarts fresh water in asaucepan. Bring to a boil. Pour over veg-etables. Replace cover and weight. Coverwith a clean towel. Allow to stand for 2days at 70° F. Repeat.

Day 7Drain brine and discard. Rinse vegetables.Scald containers, cover and weight.

Important: Slice cucumbers now, eitherlengthwise or crosswise, to preventshriveling.

Return vegetables to container.

Place celery seed and pickling spices in asmall cheesecloth bag. Combine 2 cupssugar and 4 cups vinegar in a saucepan.Add spice bag, bring to a boil, and pourhot pickling solution over vegetables.Add cover and weight. Cover with a cleantowel.

continued,

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F R E S H PA C K & Q U I C K P R O C E S S R E C I P E S

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

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26 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

Days 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13Drain pickling solution and spice bag andsave. Add 1⁄2 cup sugar each day todrained pickling solution, and bring to aboil in a saucepan. Remove vegetablesfrom container and rinse. Scald container,cover and weight daily. Return rinsedvegetables to container, add boiledpickling solution, cover and weight. Coverwith a clean towel.

Day 14Drain pickling solution into a kettle, add1⁄2 cup sugar, and bring to a boil. Discardspice bag. Pack vegetables into clean, hotpint or quart jars. Cover with boilingpickling solution, leaving 1⁄2-inch head-space. Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean, dampcloth. Cap jar with pretreated lids. Adjustlids.

Process in a boiling water canner:5 minutes for pints, 10 minutes forquarts.* Or use low-temperaturepasteurization (see page 14).

Yield: 8 to 10 pints

o

Sweet pickle slices,reduced-sodium

4 lbs. (3- to 4-inch) pickling cucumbers

Brining solution:

1 qt. distilled white vinegar(5% acetic acid)

1 tbsp. canning or pickling salt

1 tbsp.mustard seed1⁄2 cup sugar

Canning syrup:

12⁄3 cups distilled white vinegar(5% acetic acid)

3 cups sugar

1 tbsp.whole allspice

21⁄4 tsp celery seed

Wash cucumbers and cut 1⁄16 inch offblossom end, and discard. Cut cucumbersinto 1⁄4-inch slices. Combine all ingredi-ents for canning syrup in a saucepan andbring to boiling. Keep syrup hot untilused. In a large kettle,mix the ingredientsfor the brining solution. Add the cutcucumbers, cover, and simmer until thecucumbers change color from bright todull green (about 5 to 7 minutes). Drainthe cucumber slices. Fill hot pint jars withcucumber slices, and cover with hotcanning syrup leaving 1⁄2-inch head-space. Remove bubbles.Wipe jar rimsand adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 10minutes for pints.*

Yield: About 4 to 5 pints

F R E S H PA C K & Q U I C K P R O C E S S R E C I P E S

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

Page 29: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Sweet pickle slices,no sugar added

31⁄2 lbs. of pickling cucumbers, sliced,and boiling water to cover

4 cups cider vinegar (5% acetic acid)

3 cups Splenda®

1 tbsp. canning salt

1 cup water

1 tbsp.mustard seed

1 tbsp.whole allspice

1 tbsp. celery seed

4 one-inch cinnamon sticks

1. Wash cucumbers. Slice 1⁄16 inch off theblossom ends and discard. Slicecucumbers into 1⁄4-inch thick slices.Pour boiling water over the cucumberslices and let stand 5 to 10 minutes.Drain off the hot water and pour coldwater over the cucumbers. Let coldwater run continuously over thecucumber slices, or change water fre-quently until cucumbers are cooled.Drain slices well.

2. Mix vinegar, 1 cup water, Splenda® andall spices in a 10-quart Dutch oven orstockpot. Bring to a boil. Add drainedcucumber slices carefully to theboiling liquid. Return to a boil.

3. Place one cinnamon stick in each jar, ifdesired.With a slotted spoon, fill hotpickle slices into clean, hot pint jars,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Cover withboiling hot pickling brine, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles.Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 10minutes for pints.*

Yield: About 4 or 5 pints

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Page 30: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Artichoke pickles

2 gallons Jerusalem artichokes

Vinegar (5% acetic acid) to cover

2 cups canning salt

4 tbsp. turmeric

10 to 12 medium red peppers

Pickling solution:

1 gallon vinegar (5% acetic acid)

13 cups (6 pounds) sugar1⁄2 cup pickling spice (tied in spice bag)

2 tbsp. turmeric

1. Scrub Jerusalem artichokes and cutinto chunks. Pack in a food gradeplastic container, crock or glass jar.Cover with vinegar. Add 2 cups saltand 4 tablespoons of turmeric; mix.Soak 24 hours.

2. About 30 minutes before that time isup, prepare pickling solution by com-bining 1 gallon vinegar, sugar, picklingspice and 2 tablespoons turmeric, in alarge pan. Simmer for 20 to 25minutes. Remove spice bag.

3. Drain artichokes, discarding the liquid.Pack artichokes into hot pint jars,adding 1 medium red pepper to eachjar. Be sure to leave 1⁄2-inch head-space.

4. Fill to within 1⁄2 inch from the top withhot pickling solution. Remove airbubbles.Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner 10minutes for pints.*

Yield: 10 or 12 pint jars

Pickled asparagus

10 lbs. asparagus

6 large garlic cloves

41⁄2 cups water

41⁄2 cups white distilled vinegar(5% acetic acid)

6 small hot peppers (optional)1⁄2 cup canning salt

3 tsp. dill seed

1. Wash asparagus well, but gently, underrunning water. Cut stems from thebottom to leave spears with tips thatfit into the canning jar with a little lessthan 1⁄2-inch headspace. Place apeeled, washed, garlic clove at thebottom of each clean, hot pint or 12-ounce jar, and tightly pack asparagusinto jars with the blunt ends down.

1. In an 8-quart Dutch oven or saucepot,combine water, vinegar, hot peppers(optional), salt and dill seed. Bring to aboil. Place one hot pepper (if used) ineach jar over asparagus spears. Pourboiling hot pickling brine over spears,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.

3. Remove air bubbles.Wipe jar rims andadjust lids.

4. Process in a boiling water canner 10minutes for 12-ounce jars or pints.*

Allow pickled asparagus to sit inprocessed jars for 3 to 5 days before con-sumption for best flavor development.

Yield: 6 wide-mouth pints

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*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

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H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 29

Dilly beans

4 quarts whole green or wax beans(about 4 lbs.)

8 fresh dill heads,or 11⁄2 tsp. dill seed ordill weed per jar

8 garlic cloves (optional)1⁄4 tsp. cayenne pepper or 1 small dried

hot pepper per jar (optional)

Pickling solution:4 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

4 cups water1⁄2 cup canning and pickling salt

1. Wash pint canning jars. Keep hot untilfilled.

2. Wash beans thoroughly, and drain. Cutinto lengths to fit pint jars.

3. In each hot pint jar, place dill, garlicand pepper, if desired. Pack beansupright, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.

4. Prepare pickling solution of vinegar,water and salt in a saucepan, andbring to a boil. Pour boiling hotpickling solution over beans, leaving1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove bubbleswith a rubber spatula.Wipe jar rimswith a clean, damp cloth.

5. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner:5 minutes for pints.*

Yield: 7 to 8 pints

o

Pickled three-bean salad

11⁄2 cups green or yellow beans,cut and blanched (see step 1)

11⁄2 cups canned red kidney beans,drained

1 cup canned garbanzo beans(chick peas), drained

1⁄2 cup onion, peeled and thinly sliced(1 medium onion)

1⁄2 cup celery, trimmed and thinly sliced(11⁄2 medium stalks)

1⁄2 cup green peppers, cored and sliced(1⁄2 medium pepper)

Pickling solution:1⁄2 cup white vinegar (5% acetic acid)1⁄4 cup bottled lemon juice3⁄4 cup sugar

11⁄4 cups water1⁄4 cup cooking oil (optional)1⁄2 tsp. canning and pickling salt

1. Wash fresh beans and snap off ends.Cut or snap into 1- to 2-inch pieces.Blanch beans 3 minutes in boilingwater as follows: Place beans inactively boiling water. Cover and starttiming the blanching process as soonas the water returns to a boil. After 3minutes, transfer beans immediatelyto a pan of ice water and cool for 3minutes. Drain.

continued,

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30 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

Pickled three-bean saladcontinued

2. Rinse kidney and garbanzo beans withcold tap water and drain again.Prepare and measure all other vegeta-bles.

3. Prepare pickling solution of vinegar,lemon juice, sugar and water, andbring to a boil. Remove from heat. Addoil and salt and mix well. Add beans(fresh and canned), onions, celery andgreen pepper to pickling solution, andbring to a simmer.

4. Cover and refrigerate 12 to 14 hours,then heat to a boil. Fill clean, hot half-pint or pint jars with hot pickled beansalad, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean,damp cloth.

5. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner:15 minutes for pints or half-pints.*

Yield:About 3 pints, or 5 to 6 half-pints

o

Beet pickles

7 lbs. red beets (2 to 21⁄2 inches indiameter), sliced,or whole babybeets (1 to 11⁄2 inches in diameter)

4 to 6 onions (2 to 21⁄2 inches diameter),peeled and thinly sliced (optional)

Pickling solution:4 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

11⁄2 tsp. canning and pickling salt

2 cups water

2 cups sugar

12 whole cloves

2 sticks cinnamon

1. Wash beets and trim off tops, leaving 1inch of stem and the roots intact (toprevent bleeding of color). Cookunpeeled until skins can be slipped offeasily and beets are tender, about 25to 30 minutes.Caution: Drain anddiscard liquid.

2. Cool beets.Trim off roots and stemsand slip off skins. Cut into 1⁄4-inchslices or leave baby beets whole. Peeland thinly slice onions.

3. Combine vinegar, salt, water and sugarto make pickling solution.Tie spices ina cheesecloth bag and add to picklingsolution. Bring to a boil; add beets andonions, and simmer 5 minutes more.Remove spice bag.

3. Pack hot beets and onions into clean,hot pint jars. Pour boiling hot picklingsolution over beets, leaving 1⁄2-inchheadspace. Remove bubbles with arubber spatula.Wipe jar rims with aclean, damp cloth.

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4. Cap jars with pretreated lids. Adjustlids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner:30 minutes for pints or quarts.*

Yield: 7 to 8 pints

oPickled beets, no sugaradded

7 lbs. of 2- to 21⁄2-inch diameter beets

4 to 6 onions (2- to 21⁄2-inch diameter),if desired

6 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

11⁄2 tsp. canning or pickling salt

2 cups Splenda®

3 cups water

2 cinnamon sticks

12 whole cloves

1. Trim off beet tops, leaving 1 inch ofstem and roots to prevent bleeding ofcolor.Wash thoroughly. Sort for size.Cover similar sizes together withboiling water and cook until tender(about 25 to 30 minutes). Caution:Drain and discard liquid.

2. Cool beets.Trim off roots and stemsand slip off skins. Slice into 1⁄4-inchslices. Peel, wash and thinly sliceonions.

3. Combine vinegar, salt, Splenda®, andfresh water in large Dutch oven.Tiecinnamon sticks and cloves in cheese-cloth bag and add to vinegar mixture.Bring to a boil. Add beets and onions.Simmer 5 minutes. Remove spice bag.

4. With a slotted spoon, fill hot beets andonion slices into clean, hot pint jars,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Cover withboiling hot vinegar solution, leaving1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove airbubbles.Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 30minutes for pints.*

Variation: Pickled whole baby beets—Follow the directions above but usebeets that are no more than 1 to 11⁄2inches in diameter. Pack whole aftercooking, trimming and peeling; do notslice.

Yield: About 8 pints

o

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Pickled baby carrots

81⁄2 cups peeled baby carrots

51⁄2 cups white distilled vinegar(5% acetic acid)

1 cup water

2 cups sugar

2 tsp. canning salt

8 tsp.mustard seed

4 tsp. celery seed

1. Wash carrots well and peel, if neces-sary. Wash again after peeling.

2. Combine vinegar, water, sugar andcanning salt in an 8-quart Dutch ovenor stockpot. Bring to a boil and boilgently 3 minutes. Add carrots andbring back to a boil. Then reduce heatto a simmer and heat until the carrotsare half-cooked (about 10 minutes).

3. Meanwhile, place 2 teaspoonsmustard seed and 1 teaspoon celeryseed in the bottom of each clean, hotpint jar.

4. Fill hot pint jars with the hot carrots,leaving 1-inch headspace. Cover withhot pickling liquid, leaving 1⁄2-inchheadspace. Remove air bubbles.Wipejar rims and adjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner, 15minutes for pints.*

Allow carrots to sit in processed jars for 3to 5 days before consuming for bestflavor development.

Cauliflower or Brusselssprouts sweet pickles

12 cups cauliflower flowerets,1 to 2 inch pieces,or small Brusselssprouts (about 3 quarts)

Pickling solution:4 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

2 cups sugar

2 cups onions, peeled and thinly sliced

1 cup sweet red peppers, cored and diced

2 tbsp.mustard seed

1 tbsp. celery seed

1 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. hot red pepper flakes

1. Wash cauliflower flowerets or Brusselssprouts. Remove stems and blemishedouter leaves, and boil in salt water — 4teaspoons canning and pickling saltper gallon of water — 3 minutes forcauliflower and 4 minutes for Brusselssprouts. Drain and cool.

2. Prepare pickling solution by combin-ing vinegar, sugar, onion, diced redpepper and spices in a large saucepan.Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes.Distribute onion and diced pepperamong jars.

3. Fill clean, hot pint jars with cauliflowerpieces or Brussels sprouts and coverwith hot pickling solution, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove bubbles witha rubber spatula.Wipe jar rims with aclean, damp cloth.

4. Cap jars with pretreated lids. Adjustlids.

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5. Process in a boiling water canner:10 minutes for half-pints or pints.*

Yield: 5 to 6 pints

oHorseradish sauce, pickled

2 cups (3⁄4 lb.) freshly grated horseradish

1 cup white vinegar (5% acetic acid)1⁄2 tsp. canning or pickling salt1⁄4 tsp. powdered ascorbic acid

The pungency of fresh horseradish fadeswithin 1 to 2 months, even when refriger-ated. Therefore,make only small quanti-ties at a time.Wash horseradish rootsthoroughly and peel off brown outerskin.The peeled roots may be grated in afood processor or cut into small cubesand put through a food grinder. Combineingredients and fill into sterile jars,leaving 1⁄4-inch headspace. Seal jarstightly and store in a refrigerator.

Yield: About 2 half-pints

o

Mushrooms,marinatedwhole

7 lbs small whole mushrooms1⁄2 cup bottled lemon juice

2 cups olive or salad oil

21⁄2 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1 tbsp. oregano leaves

1 tbsp. dried basil leaves

1 tbsp. canning or pickling salt1⁄2 cup finely chopped onions1⁄4 cup diced pimiento

2 cloves garlic, cut in quarters

25 black peppercorns

Select very fresh unopened mushroomswith caps less than 11⁄4 inch in diameter.Wash. Cut stems, leaving 1⁄4 inchattached to cap. Add lemon juice andwater to cover. Bring to boil. Simmer 5minutes. Drain mushrooms.Mix olive oil,vinegar, oregano, basil, and salt in asaucepan. Stir in onions and pimientoand heat to boiling. Place 1⁄4 garlic cloveand 2-3 peppercorns in a half-pint jar. Fillhot half-pint jars with mushrooms andhot, well-mixed oil/vinegar solution,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.

Remove bubbles, wipe jar rims and adjustlids.

Process in a boiling water canner 20minutes for half-pints.*

Yield: About 9 half-pints

o

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Pickled onions

4 quarts tiny pickling onions

1 cup salt

1 gallon cold water

Pickling solution:2 cups sugar1⁄4 cup mustard seed

21⁄2 tbsp. prepared horseradish

2 quarts white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

3 or 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

7 small hot red peppers

7 bay leaves

2 tbsp.mixed pickling spice, tied in spicebag (optional)

1. Peel pickling onions. For easierpeeling, cover with boiling water andlet stand 2 minutes. Drain, dip in coldwater, and peel.

2. Combine 1 gallon cold water and 1cup salt. Pour over onions. Let stand 12to 18 hours in the refrigerator. Drain,and rinse thoroughly. Drain again.

3. While onions are draining, prepare thepickling solution by combiningvinegar, sugar, horseradish, spices andcrushed garlic in a saucepan. Simmer15 minutes. If you use mixed picklingspices, tie them in a clean cheeseclothbag and add to pickling solution.Remove spice bag before filling jars.

4. Pack onions into clean, hot pint jars.Pour boiling hot pickling solution overonions in the jars, leaving 1⁄2-inchheadspace. Remove bubbles with a

rubber spatula.Wipe jar rims with aclean, damp cloth.

5. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner:10 minutes for pints.*

Yield: 7 pints

oPeppers,marinated

Bell, Hungarian, banana, or jalapeño

4 lbs. firm peppers*

1 cup bottled lemon juice

2 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1 tbsp. oregano leaves

1 cup olive or salad oil1⁄2 cup chopped onions

2 cloves garlic, quartered (optional)

2 tbsp. prepared horseradish (optional)

* Note: It is possible to adjust the inten-sity with the following options: For hotstyle,use 4 lbs. jalapeño peppers. Formedium style,use 2 lbs. jalapeñopeppers and 2 lbs. sweet and mildpeppers. Formild style, use 1 lb. jalapenopeppers and 3 lbs. sweet and mildpeppers.

Caution:Wear plastic or rubber glovesand do not touch your face whilehandling or cutting hot peppers. If youdo not wear gloves,wash hands thor-oughly with soap and water beforetouching your face or eyes.

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1. Select your favorite pepper. Peppersmay be left whole. Large peppers maybe quartered.Wash, slash two to fourslits in each pepper, and blanch inboiling water or blister in order to peeltough-skinned hot peppers.

2. Peppers may be blistered using one ofthe following methods: Oven or broilermethod: Place peppers in a hot oven(400˚ F) or broiler for 6-8 minutes oruntil skins blister. Range-top method:Cover hot burner, either gas or electric,with heavy wire mesh. Place pepperson burner for several minutes untilskins blister.

3. Allow peppers to cool. Place in panand cover with a damp cloth.This willmake peeling the peppers easier. Afterseveral minutes of cooling, peel eachpepper. Flatten whole peppers.

4. Mix all remaining ingredients in asaucepan and heat to boiling. Place 1⁄4garlic clove (optional) and 1⁄4teaspoon salt in each half pint or 1⁄2teaspoon per pint.

5. Fill hot jars with peppers, add hot,well-mixed oil/pickling solution overpeppers, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Remove air bubbles.Wipe jar rims andadjust lids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner 15minutes for pints and half-pints.*

Yield:About 9 half-pints

o

Pickled peppers

4 quarts long red, green or yellowpeppers, sweet or hot (6 to 7 lbs.)

31⁄2 cups sugar

3 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

3 cups water

41⁄2 tsp. canning and pickling salt

9 garlic cloves, peeled

1. Wash peppers. Cut large peppers intoquarters, remove cores and seeds andslice into strips. If small peppers areleft whole, slash 2 to 4 slits in each.

Caution: The oils in hot peppers cancause burns.Wear rubber gloves whenyou cut these peppers.Do not touchyour face,particularly near your eyes.Wash hands thoroughly with soap andhot water if you do handle hot peppers.

2. Combine vinegar, water, sugar and saltin a saucepan to make picklingsolution. Boil for 1 minute. Addpeppers and return to a boil.

3. Place 1 clove garlic and 1⁄2 teaspoonsalt into each hot pint or half-pint jar.Add pepper strips or whole peppers tojars, flattening small peppers.

4. Pour boiling hot pickling solution overpeppers, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean,damp cloth.

5. Cap jars with pretreated lids. Adjustlids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner:5 minutes for half-pints or pints.*

Yield: 7 to 8 pints

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*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

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Pickled jalapeño rings

3 lbs. jalapeño peppers

11⁄2 cups pickling lime

11⁄2 gallons water

71⁄2 cups cider vinegar (5% acetic acid)

13⁄4 cups water

21⁄2 tbsp. canning salt

3 tbsp. celery seed

6 tbsp.mustard seed

Caution:Wear plastic or rubber glovesand do not touch your face whilehandling or cutting hot peppers. If youdo not wear gloves,wash hands thor-oughly with soap and water beforetouching your face or eyes.

1. Wash peppers well and slice into 1⁄4"thick slices (a mandoline slicer workswell). Discard stem end.Mix 11⁄2 cupspickling lime with 11⁄2 gallons water ina stainless steel, glass or food-gradeplastic container. Avoid inhaling limedust while mixing the lime-watersolution. Soak pepper slices in the limewater, in refrigerator, for 18 hours,stirring occasionally (12 to 24 hoursmay be used).

2. Drain lime solution from soakedpepper rings. Rinse peppers gently butthoroughly with water. Cover pepperrings with fresh cold water and soak,in refrigerator, 1 hour. Drain waterfrom peppers.

3. Repeat the rinsing, soaking anddraining steps two more times. Drainthoroughly at the end.

4. Wash and rinse pint canning jars; keephot until ready to use. Prepare lidsaccording to manufacturer’s directions.

5. Place 1 tablespoon mustard seed and11⁄2 teaspoons celery seed in thebottom of each clean, hot pint jar. Packdrained pepper rings into the jars,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.

6. Bring cider vinegar, 13⁄4 cups waterand canning salt to a boil over highheat. Ladle boiling hot brine solutionover pepper rings in jars, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Make sure pepperrings are covered with brine.

7. Remove air bubbles.Wipe jar rims andadjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 10minutes for pints.*

Yield: About 6 pint jars

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Green tomato dill pickles,kosher-style

6 quarts small, firm green tomatoes orgreen cherry tomatoes (12 to 15 lbs.)

6 garlic cloves, peeled

6 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

6 green peppers, seeded, cored andcut into strips

4 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

8 cups water

1 cup canning and pickling salt

6 fresh dill heads,or 6 tbsp. dill seed ordill weed

1. Carefully wash tomatoes. Removestems.

2. Place a dill head and garlic clove ineach clean, hot quart jar. Fill jars withgreen tomatoes, scattering a fewpieces of celery and green pepperthroughout each jar.

3. Combine vinegar, water and salt tomake pickling solution. Add dill, andboil 5 minutes. Fill each jar withboiling hot pickling solution, leaving1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove bubbleswith a rubber spatula.Wipe jar rimswith a clean, damp cloth.

4. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner:15 minutes for quarts.*

Note: Pickled tomatoes will be ready toeat in 4 to 6 weeks.

Yield: 6 quarts

Green tomato sweet pickles

16 cupsgreen tomatoes,sliced (10 to11 lbs.)

2 cups onions, peeled and sliced1⁄4 cup canning and pickling salt

3 cups brown sugar

4 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1 tbsp.mustard seed

1 tbsp. allspice

1 tbsp. celery seed

1 tbsp.whole cloves

1. Wash and slice tomatoes and onions.Place in a bowl, sprinkle with 1⁄4 cupsalt, and let stand 4 to 6 hours. Drain.

2. Mix vinegar with sugar in a saucepan.Heat and stir until sugar dissolves.Make a spice bag of mustard seed,allspice, celery seed and cloves. Add tovinegar with tomatoes and onions. Ifneeded, add just enough water tocover pieces. Bring to a boil andsimmer 30 minutes, stirring as neededto prevent scorching.Tomatoes shouldbe tender and translucent whenproperly cooked. Remove spice bag.

3. Fill clean, hot pint or quart jars withtomatoes and onions. Cover withboiling hot pickling solution, leaving1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove bubbleswith a rubber spatula.Wipe jar rimswith a clean, damp cloth.

4. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner:10 minutes for pints and 15 minutesfor quarts.*

Yield: 9 pints

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Pickled sweet greentomatoes

10 to 11 lbs. of green tomatoes(16 cups sliced)

2 cups sliced onions1⁄4 cup canning or pickling salt

3 cups brown sugar

4 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1 tbsp.mustard seed

1 tbsp. allspice

1 tbsp. celery seed

1 tbsp.whole cloves

1. Wash and slice tomatoes and onions.Place in bowl, sprinkle with 1⁄4 cupsalt, and let stand 4 to 6 hours. Drain.

2. Heat and stir sugar in vinegar until dis-solved. Tie mustard seed, allspice,celery seed, and cloves in a spice bag.Add to vinegar with tomatoes andonions. If needed, add minimum waterto cover pieces.

3. Bring to boil and simmer 30 minutes,stirring as needed to prevent burning.Tomatoes should be tender and trans-parent when properly cooked. Removespice bag.

4. Fill hot pint or quart jars withtomatoes and cover with hot picklingsolution, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Remove air bubbles.Wipe jar rims andadjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 10minutes for pints and 15 minutes forquarts.*

Yield: 9 pints

Spiced green tomatoes

6 pounds small whole green tomatoes

9 cups sugar

1 pint cider vinegar (5% acetic acid)

2 sticks cinnamon

1 tbsp.whole cloves

1 tbsp.whole allspice

1 tbsp.whole mace or 1⁄2 tbsp. groundmace

Small green fig or plum tomatoes aresuitable for this pickle.Wash, scald andpeel.Make a syrup of the sugar, vinegarand spices. Drop in the whole tomatoesand boil until they become clear.

Pack tomatoes into hot pint jars, leaving1⁄2-inch headspace. Strain syrup andcover tomatoes with the syrup, againleaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove airbubbles.Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 15minutes for pints.*

Yield: 4 pint jars

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*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

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Vegetable mix hot pickles

4 cups cauliflower, separated intoflowerets (1 medium head)

1 sweet red pepper, seeded, cored andcut into strips

11⁄2 cups celery, cut diagonally into1-inch chunks

2 cups carrots, sliced

2 medium onions, peeled and quarteredor 1 cup small round onions, peeledand whole

5 or 6 dried red chili peppers1⁄4 cup canning and pickling salt

1 quart water

Pickling solution:5 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1 cup water1⁄2 cup sugar

1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed

1. Prepare vegetables as indicated.Combine 1 quart water and 1⁄4 cupsalt. Add vegetables and soak for1 hour.

2. Prepare pickling solution by combin-ing vinegar, water, sugar and crushedgarlic clove. Simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Drain vegetables and pack into clean,hot pint jars. Place one dried hotpepper in each jar. Pour boiling hotpickling solution over vegetables inthe jars, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean,damp cloth.

4. Cap jars with pretreated lids. Adjustlids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner:10 minutes for pints.

Yield: 5 to 6 pints

oVegetable mix sweet pickles

4 lbs. pickling cucumbers,4 to 5 inches long

2 lbs. small onions, peeled and quartered

4 cups celery, cut in 1-inch pieces

2 cups carrots, peeled and cut in 1⁄2-inchpieces

2 cups sweet red peppers, seeded, coredand cut in 1⁄2-inch pieces

2 cups cauliflower flowerets

Cubed or crushed ice

Pickling solution:5 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)1⁄4 cup prepared mustard1⁄2 cup canning and pickling salt

31⁄2 cups sugar

3 tbsp. celery seed

2 tbsp.mustard seed1⁄2 tsp.whole cloves1⁄2 tsp. ground turmeric

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1. Wash cucumbers carefully.Trim 1⁄16inch from the blossom end anddiscard. Cut cucumbers into 1-inchslices. Combine cucumbers with otherprepared vegetables, cover with 2inches of cubed or crushed ice, andrefrigerate 3 to 4 hours. Drainvegetables.

2. In an 8-quart kettle, combine vinegarand mustard and mix well. Add salt,sugar, celery seeds,mustard seeds,cloves and turmeric to make thepickling solution. Bring to a boil. Adddrained vegetables to hot picklingsolution. Cover and bring slowly backto a boil.

3. Drain vegetables, saving picklingsolution. Pack vegetables into hotclean pint or quart jars, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.

4. Pour boiling hot pickling solution overvegetables, leaving 1⁄2-inch head-space. Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean,damp cloth.

5. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner:5 minutes for pints, 10 minutes forquarts.

Yield: 10 pints

o

Zucchini bread-and-butterpicklesFollow the recipe on page 20 for bread-and-butter pickle slices, substitutingslender (1 to 11⁄2 inches in diameter)zucchini or yellow squash for cucumbers.

o

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Spiced apple rings

12 lbs. firm tart apples (maximumdiameter 21⁄2 inches)

12 cups sugar

6 cups water

11⁄4 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

3 tbsp.whole cloves3⁄4 cup red hot cinnamon candies or

8 cinnamon sticks

1 tsp. red food coloring (optional)

1. Wash apples.To prevent discoloration,peel and slice one apple at a time.Immediately cut crosswise into 1⁄2-inch slices, remove core area with amelon baller and immerse in ascorbicacid solution.

2. To make flavored syrup, combinesugar water, vinegar, cloves, cinnamoncandies, or cinnamon sticks and foodcoloring in a 6-qt saucepan. Stir, heatto boil, and simmer 3 minutes.

3. Drain apples, add to hot syrup, andcook 5 minutes.

4. Fill hot pint or half-pint jars (preferablywide-mouth) with apple rings and hotflavored syrup, leaving 1⁄2-inch head-space. Remove air bubble.Wipe jarrims and adjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner 10minutes for half-pints or pints.*

Yield: About 8 to 9 pints

o

Cantaloupe pickles

5 lbs. of 1-inch cantaloupe cubes (about2 medium under-ripe* cantaloupe)

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2 one-inch cinnamon sticks

2 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ground ginger

41⁄2 cups cider vinegar (5% acetic acid)

2 cups water

11⁄2 cups white sugar

11⁄2 cups packed light brown sugar

*Select cantaloupe that are full size butalmost fully green and firm to the touchin all areas including the stem area.

Day one:

1. Wash cantaloupe and cut into halves;remove seeds. Cut into 1-inch slicesand peel. Cut strips of flesh into 1-inchcubes.Weight out 5 pounds of piecesand place in large glass bowl.

2. Place red pepper flakes, cinnamonsticks, cloves and ginger in a spice bagand tie the ends firmly. Combinevinegar and water in a 4-quartstockpot. Bring to a boil, then turnheat off. Add spice bag to the vinegar-water mixture, and let steep for 5minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Pour hot vinegar solution and spicebag over melon pieces in the bowl.Cover with a food-grade plastic lid orwrap and let stand overnight in therefrigerator (about 18 hours).

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Day two

4. Wash and rinse pint canning jars; keephot until ready to use. Prepare lidsaccording to manufacturer's direc-tions.

5. Carefully pour off vinegar solution intoa large 8- to 10-quart saucepan andbring to a boil. Add sugar; stir todissolve. Add cantaloupe and bringback to a boil. Lower heat to simmeruntil cantaloupe pieces turn translu-cent; about 1 to 11⁄4 hours.

6. Remove cantaloupe pieces into amedium-sized stockpot, cover and setaside. Bring remaining liquid to a boiland boil an additional 5 minutes.Return cantaloupe to the liquid syrup,and bring back to a boil.

7. With a slotted spoon, fill hot can-taloupe pieces into clean, hot pint jars,leaving 1-inch headspace. Cover withboiling hot syrup, leaving 1⁄2-inchheadspace. Remove air bubbles.Wipejar rims and adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 15minutes for pints.*

Yield: 4 pint jars

o

Cantaloupe pickles,no sugar added

6 lbs. of one-inch cantaloupe cubes(about 3 medium under-ripe*cantaloupe)

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2 one-inch cinnamon sticks

2 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ground ginger

41⁄2 cups cider vinegar (5% acetic acid)

2 cups water

3 cups Splenda®

*Select cantaloupe that are full size butalmost fully green and firm to the touchin all areas including the stem area.

Day one:

1. Wash cantaloupe and cut into halves;remove seeds. Cut into 1-inch slicesand peel. Cut strips of flesh into 1-inchcubes.Weigh out 6 pounds of piecesand place in large glass bowl.

2. Place red pepper flakes, cinnamonsticks, cloves and ginger in a spice bagand tie the ends firmly. Combinevinegar and water in a 4-quartstockpot. Bring to a boil, then turnheat off. Add spice bag to the vinegar-water mixture, and let steep for 5minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Pour hot vinegar solution and spicebag over melon pieces in the bowl.Cover with a food-grade plastic lid orwrap and let stand overnight in therefrigerator (about 18 hours).

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Day two

4. Wash and rinse pint canning jars; keephot until ready to use. Prepare lidsaccording to manufacturer's direc-tions.

5. Carefully pour off vinegar solution intoa large 8- to 10-quart saucepan andbring to a boil. Add Splenda®; stir todissolve. Add cantaloupe and bringback to a boil. Lower heat to simmeruntil cantaloupe pieces turn translu-cent; about 1 to 11⁄4 hours.

6. Remove cantaloupe pieces into amedium-sized stockpot, cover and setaside. Bring remaining liquid to a boiland boil an additional 5 minutes.Return cantaloupe to the liquid syrup,and bring back to a boil.

7. With a slotted spoon, fill hot can-taloupe pieces into clean, hot pint jars,leaving 1-inch headspace. Cover withboiling hot syrup, leaving 1⁄2-inchheadspace. Remove air bubbles.Wipejar rims and adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 15minutes for pints.*

Yield: 4 pint jars

o

Spiced crabapples

5 lbs. crabapples

41⁄2 cups apple cider vinegar(5% acetic acid)

33⁄4 cups water

71⁄2 cups sugar

4 tsp.whole cloves

4 sticks cinnamon

6 1⁄2-inch cubes of fresh ginger root

1. Remove blossom petals and washapples, but leave stems attached.Puncture the skin of each apple fourtimes with an ice pick or toothpick.

2. Mix vinegar, water, and sugar andbring to a boil. Add spices tied in aspice bag or cheesecloth. Using ablancher basket or sieve, immerse 1⁄3of the apples at a time in the boilingvinegar/syrup solution for 2 minutes.

3. Place cooked apples and spice bag ina clean 1- or 2-gallon crock and addhot syrup. Cover and let standovernight.

4. Remove spice bag, drain syrup into alarge saucepan, and reheat to boiling.

5. Fill pint jars with apples and hot syrup,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Removeair bubbles and wipe jar rims. Adjustlids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner 20minutes for pints.*

Yield: About 9 pints

o

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Watermelon rind pickles

3 quarts watermelon rind (about 6 lbs.)3⁄4 cup salt

3 quarts water

2 quarts ice cubes (about 2 trays)

Syrup:9 cups sugar

3 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

3 cups water

1 tbsp.whole cloves

6 cinnamon sticks, 1-inch pieces

1 lemon, thinly sliced,with seedsremoved

1. Wash and peel watermelon rind, andremove all the pink flesh. Cut rind into1⁄2-inch by 2-inch strips or fancyshapes.Mix 3⁄4 cup salt and 3 quartswater. Add watermelon rind and icecubes. Let stand 3 to 4 hours. Drain,rinse in cold water, and cook untiltender when pierced with a fork,about 10 minutes. Do not overcook.Drain fruit into a large bowl, discard-ing liquid.

2. Tie cloves and cinnamon sticks in aclean cheesecloth bag.Mix sugar,vinegar and water and add spice bagto make syrup. Boil 5 minutes andpour over the watermelon rind. Addlemon slices. Let stand overnight inthe refrigerator.

3. Heat watermelon rind in syrup toboiling, and cook slowly 1 hour.Remove spice bag, saving cinnamonsticks.

4. Pack hot rind loosely into clean, hotpint jars.To each jar, add 1 stick ofcinnamon from spice bag. Cover withboiling hot syrup, leaving 1⁄2-inchheadspace. Remove bubbles with arubber spatula.Wipe jar rims with aclean, damp cloth.

5. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner:10 minutes for pints.*

Yield: 4 to 5 pints

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44 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

F R U I T P I C K L E R E C I P E S

Page 47: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Pear pickles

2 quarts (8 cups) sugar

1 quart white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1 pint (2 cups) water

8 cinnamon sticks (2-inch pieces)

2 tbsp. whole cloves

2 tbsp. whole allspice

8 lbs. (4-5 quarts) Seckel pears or otherpickling pear

1. Combine sugar, vinegar, water andcinnamon sticks; add cloves andallspice that are tied in a clean, thin,white cloth. Bring mixture to a boiland simmer, covered, about 30minutes.

2. Wash pears, remove skins, and all ofblossom end; the stems may be left onif desired. If pears are large, halve orquarter.To prevent peeled pears fromdarkening during preparation, imme-diately after peeling, put them into acold solution containing 1⁄2 teaspoonascorbic acid per 2 quarts water. Drainpears just before using.

3. Add drained pears to the hot syrup,bring to a boil, lower heat andcontinue simmering for another 20 to25 minutes.

4. Pack hot pears into hot pint jars; addone 2-inch piece cinnamon stick perjar. Cover pears with boiling syrup,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace andmaking sure pears are covered by thesyrup.

5. Remove air bubbles.Wipe jar rims andadjust lids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner 20minutes for pints.*

Yield: About 7 or 8 pint jars

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H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 45

F R U I T P I C K L E R E C I P E S

Page 48: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Sweet apple relish

4 lbs. apples, peeled, cored and slicedthin

11⁄4 cups distilled white vinegar (5%acetic acid)

1 cup sugar1⁄2 cup light corn syrup2⁄3 cup water

11⁄2 tsp.whole cloves

2 sticks cinnamon (3-inch pieces), brokenup

1 tsp.whole allspice

1. Wash apples, peel, core and slice thin.Immerse cut apples in a solution of 1⁄2teaspoon ascorbic acid and 2 quarts ofwater to prevent browning.

2. Combine vinegar, sugar, corn syrup,water, cloves, cinnamon and allspice;bring to a boil. Drain apples and addto syrup. Simmer 3 minutes, stirringoccasionally. Bring to a boil.

3. Pack hot apple slices into hot pint jars,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Fill jarswith boiling hot syrup, leaving 1⁄2-inchheadspace,making sure apples arecompletely covered.

4. Remove air bubbles.Wipe jar rims andadjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner 10minutes for pints.*

Yield:About 4 pint jars

o

Fall garden relish (Chowchow)

2 cups of each of the following(16 cups total):

cabbage, cored and chopped

carrots, peeled and sliced

cucumbers, sliced

green beans, cut

green tomatoes, chopped

lima beans

onions, peeled and sliced

sweet peppers, seeded, coredand chopped

11⁄2 cups canning and pickling salt

2 quarts water

Pickling solution:2 tbsp. celery seed

4 tbsp.mustard seed

4 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

2 cups water

4 cups sugar

4 tsp. turmeric

1. Wash and prepare vegetables, removeblossom ends from cucumbers. Soakcabbage, cucumbers, onions, peppersand tomatoes overnight in the refrig-erator in a brine of 11⁄2 cups salt to 2quarts water. Drain.

2. Cook lima beans, green beans andcarrots until tender. Drain.

46 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

R E L I S H R E C I P E S

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

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H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 47

3. Mix soaked and cooked vegetableswith remaining ingredients in a largekettle and boil 10 minutes.

4. Pack hot into clean, hot pint jars,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Removeair bubbles with a rubber spatula.Wipe jar rims clean with a damp cloth.

5. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner:10 minutes for pints.

Yield: 6 to 8 pints

oCorn relish

10 cups fresh whole-kernel corn(16 to 20 medium ears),orsix 10-oz. packages frozen corn

21⁄2 cups sweet red peppers,seeded, cored and diced

21⁄2 cups sweet green peppers,seeded, cored and diced

21⁄2 cups celery, chopped

11⁄4 cups onion, peeled and diced

13⁄4 cups sugar

5 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

21⁄2 tbsp. canning and pickling salt

21⁄2 tsp. celery seed

21⁄2 tbsp. dry mustard

11⁄4 tsp. turmeric

1. Boil ears of corn 5 minutes. Dip in coldwater, drain, and cut whole kernelsfrom cob.Or use six 10-ouncepackages of frozen corn and thawbefore using.

2. Combine peppers, celery, onions,sugar, vinegar, salt, and celery seeds ina saucepan. Bring to a boil, andsimmer 5 minutes.Mix mustard andturmeric in 1⁄2 cup of the simmeredmixture. Add this mixture and thefresh (or frozen and thawed) corn tothe hot mixture. Return to boil andsimmer 5 more minutes. If desired,thicken mixture with a paste of 1⁄4 cupflour blended in 1⁄4 cup water, and stirfrequently.Caution: Do not thickenmore than stated in this recipe or anunsafe product may result.

3. Fill clean, hot pint jars with hot cornmixture, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean,damp cloth.

4. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner:15 minutes for pints.

Yield: 9 pints

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Page 50: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Green tomato relish

10 lbs. small, hard green tomatoes,chopped

11⁄2 lbs. sweet red peppers,seeded, cored and chopped

11⁄2 lbs. green peppers, seeded,cored and chopped

2 lbs. onions, peeled and chopped1⁄2 cup canning and pickling salt

4 cups water

4 cups sugar

4 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)1⁄3 cup prepared mustard

2 tbsp. cornstarch

1. Wash and coarsely grate or finely choptomatoes, peppers and onions.

2. Dissolve 1⁄2 cup salt in 4 cups water,and pour over vegetables in a largekettle. Heat to a boil, and simmer5 minutes. Drain vegetables, discard-ing salt solution.

3. Mix sugar, vinegar,mustard and corn-starch in a large kettle. Add drainedvegetables. Heat to a boil, and simmer5 minutes.

4. Fill clean, hot pint jars with hot relish,leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Removebubbles with a rubber spatula.Wipejar rims with a clean, damp cloth.

5. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

6. Process in a boiling water canner:5 minutes for pints.

Yield: 8 pints

Pear relish

2 gallons pears

6 large onions

6 sweet green peppers

6 sweet red peppers

1 bunch celery

3 cups sugar

1 tablespoon allspice

1 tablespoon salt

5 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

Wash the pears, onions, peppers andcelery in cold water. Peel and core thepears. Remove stems and seeds from thepeppers. Clean the celery; peel theonions. Put pears and vegetables througha food chopper. Stir the sugar, allspice,salt and vinegar into the choppedmixture and let stand, covered, overnightin the refrigerator.

Heat the relish mixture to boiling; simmer5 minutes. Pack hot relish into hot pintjars, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Removeair bubbles.Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 20minutes for pints.*

Yield:About 10 pint jars

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*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

R E L I S H R E C I P E S

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H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 49

Piccalilli

6 cups green tomatoes, chopped

11⁄2 cups sweet red peppers, seeded,cored and chopped

11⁄2 cups green peppers, seeded, coredand chopped

21⁄4 cups onions, peeled and chopped

71⁄2 cups cabbage, cored and chopped1⁄2 cup canning and pickling salt

3 tbsp.whole mixed pickling spice

41⁄2 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

3 cups brown sugar

1. Wash, chop and combine vegetableswith 1⁄2 cup salt. Cover with hot water,and let stand in the refrigerator 12hours or overnight.Drain vegetables,and press in a clean white cloth toremove all liquid.

2. Combine vinegar and brown sugar ina large saucepan. Add spices tiedloosely in a clean cheesecloth bag, andheat to a boil. Add drained vegetables,and boil gently 30 minutes or until thevolume of the mixture is reduced byone-half. Remove spice bag.

3. Fill clean, hot pint jars with hot veg-etable mixture, leaving 1⁄2-inch head-space. Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean,damp cloth.

4. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner:5 minutes for pints.

Yield: 4 to 5 pints

Sweet pickle relish

4 cups cucumbers, chopped (4 medium)

2 cups onions, peeled and chopped

1 cup sweet red pepper, seeded,cored and chopped

1 cup green pepper, seeded,cored and chopped

1⁄4 cup salt

31⁄2 cups sugar

2 cups cider vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1 tbsp. celery seed

1 tbsp.mustard seed

1. Wash vegetables and trim 1⁄16 inchfrom blossom ends of cucumbers.Chop and combine vegetables with1⁄4 cup salt. Cover with ice cold waterand let stand 2 hours. Drain vegeta-bles and press in a clean white cloth toremove all liquid.

2. Combine sugar, vinegar and spices in alarge kettle, and heat to a boil. Adddrained vegetables and simmer 10minutes.

3. Fill clean, hot pint jars with hotmixture, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rims with a clean,damp cloth.

4. Cap jars with pretreated lids.Adjust lids.

5. Process in a boiling water canner:10 minutes for pints.

Yield: 4 to 5 pints

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50 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

Pickled pepper-onion relish

6 cups finely chopped onions

3 cups finely chopped sweet red peppers

3 cups finely chopped green peppers

11⁄2 cups sugar

6 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

2 tbsp. canning or pickling salt

Wash and chop vegetables. Combine allingredients and boil gently until mixturethickens and volume is reduced by one-half (about 30 minutes). Fill sterile jars,with hot relish, leaving 1⁄2-inch head-space, and seal tightly. Store in refrigera-tor and use within one month.

Caution: If extended storage isdesired, this product must beprocessed in a boiling water canner 5minutes for pints or half-pints.*

Yield: 9 half-pints

o

Oscar relish

8 cups chopped fresh peaches (12 large)

8 cups chopped ripe tomatoes (12 large)

2 cups diced green sweet peppers

1 tbsp. red hot pepper, ground

2 cups ground onions (6)

4 cups light brown sugar (firmly packed)

2 cups cider vinegar (5% acetic acid)

11⁄2 tsp. canning or pickling salt

4 tbsp. pickling spice, tied incheesecloth bag

Peel and pit peaches. Chop into smallpieces. Peel and chop tomatoes into 1⁄2-inch pieces. Remove stem and seed frompeppers and dice into 1⁄2-inch pieces.Peel onions and grind in food chopper.Grind red hot peppers.

Combine all ingredients in 10-quartsaucepan. Cook and stir about 11⁄2 to 2hours, until it reaches desired thickness.

Pack in hot pint jars, leaving 1⁄2-inchheadspace. Remove air bubbles.Wipe jarrims and adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 10minutes for pints.*

Variation: Use two small hot peppers ifyou like a hotter relish. For milder relish,substitute Tabasco to taste (1⁄2 to 1teaspoon) for the peppers.

Yield:About 6 pint jars

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Page 53: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Rummage relish

2 quarts cored, chopped green tomatoes(16 medium)

1 quart peeled, cored, chopped red ripetomatoes (6 large)

1 quart chopped cabbage (1 small head)

3 cups chopped onions

2 cups chopped celery

1 cup chopped sweet green peppers(2 medium)

1 cup chopped cucumbers

1 cup chopped sweet red peppers(2 medium)

1⁄2 cup canning or pickling salt

4 cups brown sugar

2 cloves garlic,minced

1 tbsp. celery seed

1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

1 tbsp.mustard seed

1 tsp. ground ginger1⁄2 tsp. ground cloves

2 quarts vinegar (5% acetic acid)

Combine vegetables; add salt and mixthoroughly. Let stand 12 to 18 hours inrefrigerator; drain thoroughly. Add sugar,spices and garlic to vinegar; simmer 10minutes. Add vegetables; simmer 30minutes. Bring to a boil.

Pack hot relish into hot pint jars, leaving1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles.Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.

Process in a boiling water canner 15minutes for pints.*

Variation: For Curry relish, add 2 cupsraisins and 11⁄2 teaspoons curry powderwhen vegetables are added to picklingsolution.Makes about 9 pints.

Yield:About 8 pint jars

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H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 51

R E L I S H R E C I P E S

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

Page 54: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

52 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

Cucumber pickles withonions or vegetable medley

8 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced

1 cup onion, peeled and sliced(2 medium onions),or in place ofonion, an equal amount of other veg-etables such as cauliflower, peppersor carrots as desired

Pickling solution:4 cups vinegar (5% acetic acid)

2 cups sugar1⁄3 cup canning and pickling salt

11⁄2 tsp. each of celery seed,mustardseed and turmeric

1. Mix pickling solution ingredientstogether until sugar is dissolved.Thismixture does not have to be heated,but heating will more rapidly dissolvethe sugar and pickle the vegetables.

2. Wash and prepare vegetables, trimblossom ends from cucumbers anddiscard.

3. Fill hot sterilized** pint or quart jarswith thinly sliced cucumbers andother vegetables. Cover vegetableswith hot pickling solution, and cap jarswith clean lids. Label and date, andstore in the refrigerator at 40° F orcolder for up to 2 weeks.This pickle isnot heat processed and must bekept refrigerated.

Yield: 2 quarts o

R E F R I G E R A T O R P I C K L E R E C I P E S

Many fresh pack

pickles can be stored

in the refrigerator

for short periods of time (several weeks)

without heat processing. However,

quality will deteriorate rapidly, and

these products may become unsafe if

stored for extended periods.

For pickles that can be stored in the

refrigerator, follow the directions in this

bulletin for refrigerator pickles.The rel-

atively strong vinegar/sugar solution

will maintain the quality of cucumbers,

cauliflower, peppers or other vegeta-

bles that you may choose to pickle for

up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Wash standard home canning jars in

hot, soapy water and rinse well. Sterilize

jars by boiling for 10 minutes. Keep

them in hot water until you are ready to

fill them, to prevent them from

breaking when filled with hot pickling

solution.

Note:

g. = gram

lb. = pound

oz. = ounce

tbsp. = tablespoon

tsp. = teaspoon

1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups

Page 55: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Pickled horseradish sauce

2 cups freshly grated horseradish(3⁄4 lb.)

1 cup white vinegar (5% acetic acid)1⁄2 tsp. canning and pickling salt1⁄4 tsp. ascorbic acid, powdered* (if

desired, to prevent browning)

1. Wash horseradish roots, and peel offbrown outer skin.The pungency offresh horseradish fades within 1 to 2months, even when refrigerated. Somake only a small batch at a time.

2. Grate peeled roots in a food processor,or cut into small cubes and putthrough a food grinder.

3. Combine grated horseradish withvinegar, salt, and ascorbic acid (ifdesired). Fill sterilized** half-pint jars,leaving 1⁄4-inch headspace. Removebubbles with a rubber spatula.Wipejar rims with a clean, damp cloth.

4. Cover jars tightly with clean lids. Labeland date, and store in the refrigeratorat 40° F or colder for up to 2 months.

This pickle is not heat processedand must be kept refrigerated.

Yield: 2 half-pints

* Powdered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) isavailable at some pharmacies or cookingsupply stores.

**See page 12 for instructions on steriliz-ing jars.

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H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 53

R E F R I G E R A T O R P I C K L E R E C I P E S

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

Page 56: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Cucumber dill slices

8 cups pickling cucumbers,thinly sliced (21⁄2 lbs.)

1 cup sweet red pepper, seeded, coredand chopped

Pickling solution:3 tbsp. canning and pickling salt

4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced1⁄3 cup fresh dill weed,minced

1 tsp. dill seed

11⁄2 cups sugar

11⁄2 cups cider vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1. Gently wash cucumbers.Trim 1⁄16 inchfrom the blossom end and discard.Thinly slice cucumbers and measureout 8 cups. In a large bowl, toss thecucumbers with the salt. Let thecucumbers stand 2 hours, and thendrain.

2. In another bowl, stir together theremaining ingredients. Pour themixture over the drained cucumbers,and stir well. Refrigerate the mixturefor 8 to 10 hours.

3. Pack the cucumber slices and picklingsolution in freezer bags or rigid con-tainers, leaving 1-inch headspace.Label and date packages, and freeze at0° F or colder for up to 6 months.

4. Thaw pickles for about 8 hours in therefrigerator, and serve chilled.Thawedpickles must be kept refrigerated;use within 2 weeks.

Yield: 4 pints

54 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

Cucumber andother vegetableslices packed in

vinegar and sugar will remain crispwhen stored in the freezer. Packfreezer pickles in rigid plastic contain-ers, freezer bags or wide-mouthcanning jars. Label, date and store inthe freezer at 0° F or colder for up to 6months.

Freezer pickles taste best chilled, so

serve them right from the refrigerator

once thawed. Keep thawed pickles

refrigerated and use within 2 weeks.

Note:

g. = gram lb. = pound

oz. = ounce

tbsp. = tablespoon

tsp. = teaspoon

1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups

F R E E Z E R P I C K L E R E C I P E S

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H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 55

Cucumber pickleswith carrots

8 cup pickling cucumbers,thinly sliced (about 21⁄2 lbs.)

3 tbsp. canning and pickling salt

Syrup:2 medium carrots, peeled and grated

(about 1 cup, firmly packed)

11⁄2 cups sugar

11⁄2 cups cider vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1 tbsp. dill weed, chopped

1. Gently wash cucumbers.Trim 1⁄16 inchfrom the blossom end and discard.Thinly slice cucumbers and measureout 8 cups. In a large bowl, toss thecucumbers with the salt. Let thecucumbers stand 2 hours, and thendrain.

2. In another bowl, stir together theremaining ingredients. Pour themixture over the cucumbers, and stirwell. Refrigerate the mixture for 8 to10 hours.

3. Pack the cucumbers and syrup infreezer bags or rigid containers,leaving 1-inch headspace. Label anddate packages, and freeze at 0° F orcolder for up to 6 months.

4. Thaw pickles for about 8 hours in therefrigerator before serving. Freezerpickles taste best chilled.Thawedpickles must be kept refrigerated;use within 2 weeks.

Yield: 4 pints

o

Lime-mint cucumber pickles

8 cups pickling cucumbers, thinly sliced(about 21⁄2 lbs.)

3 tbsp. canning and pickling salt

Pickling solution:1 small sweet red pepper, seeded, cored

and chopped1⁄4 cup mint leaves,minced1⁄2 cup onion, peeled and sliced

(1 medium onion)

2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

Grated zest of 1 lime

11⁄2 cups sugar

11⁄2 cups distilled white vinegar (5%acetic acid)

1. Gently wash cucumbers.Trim 1⁄16 inchfrom the blossom end and discard.Thinly slice cucumbers and measureout 8 cups. In a large bowl, toss thecucumbers with the salt. Let thecucumbers stand 2 hours, and thendrain.

2. In another bowl, stir together theremaining ingredients. Pour themixture over the drained cucumbers,and stir well. Refrigerate the mixturefor 8 to 10 hours.

3. Pack the cucumbers and picklingsolution in freezer bags or rigid con-tainers, leaving 1-inch headspace.Label and date packages, and freeze at0° F or colder for up to 6 months.

F R E E Z E R P I C K L E R E C I P E S

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

Page 58: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

4. Thaw pickles for about 8 hours in therefrigerator, and serve chilled.Thawedpickles must be kept refrigerated;use within 2 weeks.

Yield: 4 pints

o

Pickled cabbage

2 lbs. green cabbage, cored andshredded

1 cup green pepper, seeded, cored andshredded

1 cup onion, peeled and shredded

1 cup carrot, peeled and shredded

1 tbsp. canning and pickling salt

2 cups sugar

11⁄2 cups cider vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1. Wash and prepare vegetables. In abowl, toss the shredded vegetableswith the salt. Let the mixture stand 2hours. Drain the vegetables, pressingout excess liquid.

2. Combine the sugar and vinegar,stirring to dissolve. Pour the syrup overthe drained vegetables, and mix well.

3. Pack the vegetables and syrup infreezer bags or rigid containers,leaving 1-inch headspace. Label anddate packages, and freeze at 0° F orcolder for up to 6 months.

4. Thaw cabbage for about 8 hours inthe refrigerator, and serve chilled.Thawed pickles must be kept refrig-erated; use within 2 weeks.

Yield: 2 quarts

56 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

F R E E Z E R P I C K L E R E C I P E S

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

Page 59: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Pickled eggs

16 fresh eggs

2 tbsp.whole allspice

2 tbsp.whole peppercorns

2 tbsp. ground ginger

4 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

2 tbsp. sugar

1. Sterilize* clean wide-mouth homecanning jars by boiling for 10 minutes.Wash two-piece lids.

2. Cook eggs in simmering water for 15minutes. Drain eggs and cool in coldwater, then remove shells. Pack intohot, sterilized wide-mouth jars.

3. In a pot, combine vinegar, sugar andspices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, andsimmer 5 minutes. Pour hot liquid overhard-cooked eggs.Wipe jar rims with aclean, damp cloth. Cap with clean lids.Store in the refrigerator at 40° F orcolder and use within 2 weeks.Do notcan.

Caution: This recipe is not intended forlong-term storage or storage at roomtemperature.Pickled eggs must be keptrefrigerated.

Yield: 2 quarts

*Note: See page 12 for instructions onsterilizing jars.

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H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 57

F A M I LY F A V O R I T E P I C K L E R E C I P E S

Many families

enjoy a tradition

of pickled eggs or

pickled meats. For others,wild game

or grape leaves are traditional fare.

Follow the tested recipes on pages 57-

58 to safely prepare these pickled

items.

Eggs can be pickled and then stored in

the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Venison, elk or other wild game can be

cooked and then stored in a pickling

solution in the refrigerator for up to

2 weeks.Tongue and other variety

meats can also be successfully

prepared in this way.

If you like to make dolmades — stuffed

grape leaves — you may be glad to

know that you can easily preserve

your own leaves for this purpose. Use

tender, light-green leaves from a

variety of grapevines.

Note:

g. = gram

lb. = pound

oz. = ounce

tbsp. = tablespoon

tsp. = teaspoon

1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups

Page 60: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Pickled elk or venison

2 to 3 lbs. elk or venison roast

1 bay leaf

Pickling solution:1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced1⁄2 lemon, sliced

2 cups white vinegar (5% acetic acid)

1 cup sugar

2 tsp.whole pickling spices

2 tsp. canning and pickling salt1⁄2 cup white port wine (optional)

1. Cook meat in lightly salted water withbay leaf for several hours until tender.Or pressure cook at 15 pounds for 90minutes. Remove all fatty tissue whilestill very warm. Cut into serving-sizepieces.

2. In a glass, plastic or nonreactive metalcontainer, arrange meat with lemonand onion slices.Tie pickling spices ina clean cheesecloth bag. Put vinegar,sugar, spice bag and salt in a saucepanand bring to a boil. Remove spice bag,and pour pickling solution over meat.Cool slightly, cover, label and date, andrefrigerate at 40° F or colder for up to2 weeks.

Note: This recipe is not intended for long-term storage, but allows for a pickledproduct that is stored in the refrigeratorfor up to 2 weeks.Pickled gamemeatmust be keptrefrigerated.

Yield: 2 to 3 quarts

Grape leaves

About 30 tender, light-green grapeleaves, stemmed

2 tsp. canning and pickling salt

4 cups water

1 cup water plus 1⁄4 cup bottled lemonjuice

1. Measure 2 teaspoons salt and 4 cupswater into a large saucepan, and bringto a boil. Add grape leaves, and blanchthem for 30 seconds. Drain.

2. Stack the leaves in small piles of about6 each, and roll the stacks loosely fromthe side. Pack into a clean, hot pinthome canning jar, folding the endsover if necessary.

3. In a small saucepan, bring to a boil 1cup water and 1⁄4 cup lemon juice.Pour the hot liquid over the rolledleaves, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace.Remove bubbles with a rubberspatula.Wipe jar rim with a clean,damp cloth.

4. Cap jar with a pretreated lid.Adjust lid.

5. Process in a boiling water canner:15 minutes for pints.

Note: These leaves are not salty, and willnot have to be rinsed before stuffingthem.

Yield: 1 pint

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58 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

F A M I LY F A V O R I T E P I C K L E R E C I P E S

*Adjust time for elevation; see mapon page 13.

Page 61: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Wisconsin Safe FoodPreservation SeriespublicationsCanning Fruits Safely (B0430)

Canning Meat,Wild Game, Poultryand Fish Safely (B3345)

Canning Salsa Safely (B3570)

Canning Vegetables Safely (B1159)

Freezing Fruits and Vegetables (B3278)

Homemade Pickles and Relishes(B2267)

Make Your Own Sauerkraut (B2087)

Making Jams, Jellies and FruitPreserves (B2909)

Tomatoes Tart and Tasty (B2605)

Using and Caring for a Pressure Canner(B2593)

Wisconsin’sWild Game: Enjoying theHarvest (B3573)

To start with the rightingredients, see also:Apple Cultivars forWisconsin (A2105)

Growing Pumpkins and Other VineCrops inWisconsin (A3688)

Harvesting Vegetables from the HomeGarden (A2727)

Home Fruit Cultivars for NorthernWisconsin (A2488)

Home Fruit Cultivars for SouthernWisconsin (A2582)

Vegetable Cultivars and Planting GuideforWisconsin Gardens (A1653)

These are all available from yourcounty UW-Extension office, orCooperative Extension Publishing(learningstore.uwex.edu).

Web sitesComplete Guide to Home Canning isavailable online through the NationalCenter for Home Food Preservation,(www.uga.edu/nchfp/). Refer toAgriculture Information BulletinNo. 539 (Washington, D.C.: U.S.Department of Agriculture), 2008.

If you do not have a computer, tryyour local library.Most libraries havea computer connected with theInternet.

H O M E M A D E P I C K L E S & R E L I S H E S 59

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60 Wisconsin Safe Food Preservation Series

Family favorite picklesEggs, pickled, 57

Elk or venison, pickled, 58

Grape leaves, 58

Fermented picklesBrines for fermented pickles, 17

Dill pickles, 18

Freezer picklesCabbage, pickled, 56

Cucumber dill slices, 54

Cucumber pickles with carrots, 55

Lime-mint cucumber pickles, 55

Fresh pack and quick processpickles

Bread-and-butter pickle slices, 20

Dill pickles, quick process, 21

Dill pickles, reduced sodium, 22

Quick sweet pickles, 22

Sweet 4-day gherkins or chunk pickles,24

Sweet 14-day cucumber orcauliflower pickles, 25

Sweet pickle slices, reduced-sodium,26

Sweet pickle slices, no sugar added, 27

Fruit picklesApple rings, spiced, 41

Cantaloupe pickles, 41

Cantaloupe pickles, no sugar added,42

Crabapples, spiced, 43

Pear pickles, 45

Watermelon rind pickles, 44

Refrigerator picklesCucumber pickles with onions or veg-etable medley, 52

Horseradish sauce, pickled, 53

RelishesApple relish, sweet, 46

Corn relish, 47

Fall garden relish (Chowchow), 46

Green tomato relish, 48

Oscar relish, 50

Pear relish, 48

Pepper-onion relish, pickled, 50

Piccalilli, 49

Pickle relish, sweet, 49

Rummage relish, 51

Vegetable picklesArtichoke pickles, 28

Asparagus, pickled, 28

Baby carrots, pickled, 32

Beans, dilly, 29

Beet pickles, 30

Beets, pickled, no sugar added, 31

Cauliflower or Brussels sprouts sweetpickles, 32

Green tomato dill pickles, kosher-style,37

Green tomato sweet pickles, 37

Green tomatoes, spiced, 38

Green tomatoes, sweet, pickled, 38

Horseradish sauce, pickled, 33

Jalapeño rings, pickled, 36

Mushrooms,marinated, whole, 33

Onions, pickled, 34

Peppers,marinated, 34

Peppers, pickled, 35

Three-bean salad, pickled, 29

Vegetable mix hot pickles, 39

Vegetable mix sweet pickles, 39

Zucchini bread-and-butter pickles, 40

Other

Headspace, 14

Salt, weigh for best accuracy, 7

Sterilizing jars, 12

Recipe Index

Page 63: Homemade Pickles & Relishes
Page 64: Homemade Pickles & Relishes

Acknowledgments

Freezer pickle recipes reprinted with per-mission from The Joy of Pickling by LindaZiedrich (Boston,Mass.: The HarvardCommon Press), 1998.Titles of recipesappear in the book as Freezer Dill Slices,Freezer Pickle with Carrots, Lime-MintFreezer Pickle, Freezer Pickled Cabbage.To order, call: (888) 657-3755

Recipe for pickled eggs adapted withpermission from So Easy to Preserve, 4thed. Bulletin 989, by Elizabeth L. Andressand Judy A. Harrison (Athens, Ga.:Cooperative Extension Service,TheUniversity of Georgia), 2006.

Copyright © 2008 by the Board ofRegents of the University of WisconsinSystem doingbusiness as the division ofCooperative Extension of the Universityof Wisconsin-Extension. All rightsreserved. Send copyright inquiries to:Cooperative Extension Publishing, 432 N.Lake St., Rm. 227,Madison,WI 53706.

Author: Barbara H. Ingham, food sciencespecialist, Department of Food Science,University of Wisconsin-Madison andUW-Extension.

University ofWisconsin-Extension,Cooperative Extension, in cooperationwith the U.S. Department of AgricultureandWisconsin counties, publishes thisinformation to further the purpose of theMay 8 and June 30, 1914 Acts ofCongress. An EEO/AA employer, theUniversity of Wisconsin-Extension,Cooperative Extension provides equalopportunities in employment and pro-gramming, including Title IX andAmericans with Disabilities (ADA)requirements. If you need this informa-tion in an alternative format, contactCooperative Extension Publishing orEqual Opportunity and DiversityPrograms, University of Wisconsin-Extension, 501 Extension Building,432 N. Lake Street,Madison,WI 53706,[email protected], phone:(608) 262-0277, fax: (608) 262-8404,TTY: 711Wisconsin Relay.

This publication is available in Englishfrom your Wisconsin county Extensionoffice (www.uwex.edu/ces/cty) or fromCooperative Extension Publishing.Toorder, call toll-free: 1-877-947-7827(WIS-PUBS) or visit our web site:learningstore.uwex.edu.

Homemade Pickles & Relishes (B2267) R-05-2008