To use pickle spice and infuse your pickled foods with flavor, you simply add it directly to the jar alongside the food you are pickling before pouring in your brine.
Pickling spice is a blend of various whole or cracked spices used specifically to enhance the flavor of pickled items. It's a simple yet effective way to add depth and aroma.
Adding Pickle Spice to Your Jar
The process is straightforward and integrates seamlessly into your standard pickling method. According to the reference, the key steps are:
- Prepare Your Food: Wash and cut the vegetables or fruits you plan to pickle (e.g., cucumbers, carrots, green beans, peaches).
- Pack the Jar: Place your prepared food tightly into clean pickling jars.
- Add Pickle Spice: Measure the appropriate amount of pickle spice for your recipe and add it directly into the jar with the food. Some recipes might suggest a specific amount per jar or per volume of brine.
- Add Brine: Pour your prepared hot or cold pickling brine (typically a solution of vinegar, water, salt, and sometimes sugar) over the food and spice, ensuring everything is submerged.
- Seal and Process: Seal the jars according to your recipe's instructions, which may involve canning or simply refrigerating.
This method allows the flavors from the spices to slowly infuse into the food and the brine as the pickling process occurs.
Foods to Pickle with Spice
Pickle spice is versatile and can be used for a wide variety of pickled goods. Examples include:
- Cucumber pickles (dills, bread and butter, etc.)
- Pickled vegetables (carrots, onions, cauliflower, beets, jalapeños)
- Pickled fruits (peaches, pears, cherries)
By adding the spice directly to the jar with your food and brine, you ensure that its aromatic compounds are released and absorbed, creating delicious and flavorful pickled items.
