Food & Wine // 11 min Read

Pickle Party

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Recipes by Palmetto Bluff Club Executive Chef Beth Cosgrove
Photographs by Lawson Builder

Pickling Through the Centuries

Pickling dates back over four thousand years to ancient Mesopotamia. Early picklers discovered that soaking perishable foods in brine or vinegar not only extended their shelf life but also enhanced their flavors. The practice spread across various civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who used pickling to preserve cucumbers, olives, and other vegetables. In the Middle Ages, pickling became essential for sustaining populations through long winters and sea voyages.

Today, pickling remains a central culinary technique embraced by cultures worldwide. In East Asia, kimchi, a spicy fermented cabbage, is a staple in Korean cuisine, while Japan boasts an array of pickled vegetables, or tsukemono, often served with rice. Europe offers delights like German sauerkraut and Eastern European pickled beets and cucumbers. The Indian subcontinent features an array of achar, made from mangoes, lemons, and other fruits, infused with a blend of spices. In the Americas, pickled jalapeños and other vegetables are common in Mexican cuisine, while the Southern United States is known for its pickled okra and green tomatoes. Each culture’s approach to pickling highlights unique ingredients, showcasing the global diversity of this ancient preservation method.

One of the unique highlights of Palmetto Bluff is its community farm. The Farm hosts regular farmers’ markets, providing fresh produce to the community. Additionally, Palmetto Bluff Club chefs collaborate closely with The Farm staff, discussing what to plant and how to incorporate the harvest into their menus.

For Palmetto Bluff Club chefs Rhy Waddington and Beth Cosgrove, pickles are a great way to preserve late-summer vegetables and add a seasonal zing to their dishes. Pickles add acid, crunch, and sometimes sweetness to dishes, a kind of pucker effect that adds complexity and nuance to a flavor profile. Here are their four favorite recipes for pickles this fall.

Pickled Red Onions

Pickled red onions are a vibrant, tangy addition that can elevate any dish, from tacos and salads to sandwiches and grilled meats. This simple recipe combines red onions with vinegar, sugar, and a few other ingredients to create a delicious pickle.

Ingredients
  • 2 Red Onions
  • 3 Tbsp Kosher Salt
  • 1 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 Cup Water
  • ¾ Cup Brown Sugar
  • 3 Bay Leaves
  • 2 Sprigs of Thyme
  • 1 Tbsp Black Peppercorns
Instructions
  1. Using a mandolin or sharp knife, slice the onions evenly into ¼-inch rings. Sprinkle the onions with the kosher salt and gently toss the onions to make sure the salt gets in all the rings. Let sit for 10–15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the onions will have sweated out their liquid. Rinse under cold water for a minute. Drain and pat dry with a paper towel. Place in a large bowl.
  2.  Meanwhile, place the vinegar, water, sugar, bay leaves, thyme, and peppercorns into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Be sure to allow the sugar to dissolve.
  3. Pour the hot liquid directly over the red onions and allow to come to room temperature before refrigerating.
Summer Chow-Chow

Chow chow is a crunchy, tangy relish popular in Southern American cuisine. Use this summer chow chow to enhance the taste of various dishes, including hot dogs, burgers, and sandwiches.

Ingredients
  • 1 Quart Cabbage Pieces
  • 3 Cups Small Cauliflower Pieces
  • 3 Cups Sweet Peppers, Chopped
  • 2 Cups Corn, Cut Off The Cob
  • 2 Cups Onions, Chopped
  • 3 Tbsp Pickling Salt
  • 1 Quart Cider Vinegar
  • ½ Cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tsp Mustard Seeds
  • 1 Tsp Turmeric
  • 1 Tsp Celery Seeds
  • 1 Tsp Ground Ginger
  • 2 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • ¼ Tsp Ground Coriander 
Instructions
  1. Place all the cut vegetables in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the pickling salt and let sit for an hour.
  2. Rinse the vegetables under cold running water to remove the salt. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
  3. Place the vinegar, sugar, and all spices and seasonings into a large pot and bring to a boil, making sure the sugar dissolves.
  4. Pour the pickling liquid over the vegetables and allow to cool at room temperature. Refrigerate until needed
Pickled Okra

The blend of vinegar, garlic, dill, and spices infuses the okra with a complex and refreshing taste, making it a versatile and delightful snack or addition to salads and charcuterie boards.

Ingredients
  • 2 Pounds Okra
  • 4 Cloves Garlic, Sliced
  • 2–4 Small Hot Peppers, Whole
  • 2 Tsp Dill Seeds
  • Quart Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 Quart Water
  • ¼ Cup Pickling Salt 
Instructions
  1. Divide the garlic, hot peppers, and dill seeds evenly into two large mason jars.
  2. In a large saucepan, bring the vinegar, water, and salt to a boil, ensuring the salt dissolves. Add the okra and cook for 3 minutes.
  3. Remove the okra with a slotted spoon and put it directly into the two jars.
  4. Pour the liquid into the jars, leaving a ½-inch space. Close the jars and allow them to come to room temperature before refrigerating.

Honeyed Bread and Butter Pickles

Bread-and-butter pickles are a classic, sweet-and-tangy addition to sandwiches, burgers, and salads. This easy-to-follow recipe combines crisp cucumbers and onions with a blend of spices, sugar, and vinegar. These homemade pickles are as nostalgic as they are delicious!

Ingredients
  • 4.5 Lbs Picking Cucumbers
  • 1.5 Lbs Onions
  • 1/3 Cup Morton’s Pickling Salt
  • 2 ¼ Cups Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 ¼ Cups Water
  • 1 ¼ Cups Honey
  • 1 Tbsp Mustard Seeds
  • 1 Tsp Ground Turmeric
  • 1 Tsp Celery Seeds
  • 1 Tsp Black Peppercorns
  • 1 Tsp Coriander Seeds
  • 1 Dried Hot Chili, Whole
Instructions
  1. Cut the ends off the cucumbers and use a mandolin or sharp knife to slice the cucumbers and onions into ¼-inch rings.
  2. Cover the vegetables with salt and mix, pressing lightly to massage the salt into them. Leave to sit at room temperature for 2 hours.
  3. Rinse the vegetables under cold running water to wash the salt off. Drain well.
  4. In a large pot, combine the vinegar, water, honey, pickling spices, and garlic, and bring to a boil, allowing the honey to dissolve.
  5. Put the rinsed vegetables into the jars or containers you will store them in.
  6. Immediately pour the hot pickling liquid over the vegetables and secure the lids. Leave at room temperature until cool. Refrigerate.
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