I have had a lovely day pottering around in the kitchen. I've made 4 jars of Victoria plum jam and 3 jars of my favourite pickles. I've been tinkering with this recipe, I believe I have now reached pickle perfection!
A warning - these are as addictive as crack. If you love pickles then I'd urge you to give them a go, they are so simple to make. They are lovely with fish, especially smoked fish and wonderful on burgers or with cheese. I fantasise about having them with a pork pie. I think that would be heaven on earth. I have yet to indulge in that particular fantasy though. They are everything a pickle should be: sweet, sour and spicy. The dill gives a lovely fragrant Scandinavian flavour. Dill has very much been my herb of the summer, I just adore it.
Courgette and Dill Pickles
4 large courgettes finely sliced
1 large onion, finely sliced
course sea salt
450g of demerara sugar
500ml of cider vinegar
1 teaspoon of chili flakes
1 tablespoon of mustard seeds
1 packet of fresh dill (remove the thick stems but otherwise leave it in fronds)
1. Put the sliced vegetables in a colander. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of course sea salt, weigh down with a plate and tins. Leave for several hours. You will find loads of water comes out of them. Rinse the salt off and dry in a clean tea towel.
2. Heat the vinegar with the sugar, spices and dill until the it has completely dissolved and the liquid has reached a rolling boil.
3. Add the vegetables and simmer for just 2 minutes.
4. Put pickles in sterilized jars and cover with the pickling liquor.
5. Store in a cool, dark place. These will improve with age, but it is hard to resist the temptation of diving straight in.
2. Heat the vinegar with the sugar, spices and dill until the it has completely dissolved and the liquid has reached a rolling boil.
3. Add the vegetables and simmer for just 2 minutes.
4. Put pickles in sterilized jars and cover with the pickling liquor.
5. Store in a cool, dark place. These will improve with age, but it is hard to resist the temptation of diving straight in.
(makes 3 jars)
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