Sweet and spicy eggplant pickle, a delectable side dish with a harmonious blend of sweet and spicy flavors, is a beloved culinary creation enjoyed across various cultures. This tantalizing pickle is crafted using fresh eggplants, carefully selected for their vibrant color and firm texture. The key to success lies in the perfect balance of spices, ensuring a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. It is a versatile condiment that can elevate any meal, whether served as an accompaniment to grilled meats, fish, or as a zesty addition to sandwiches and wraps. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure as we explore the art of making sweet and spicy eggplant pickle, transforming this humble vegetable into a delightful delicacy.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
EMERIL'S HOMEMADE SWEET AND SPICY PICKLES
NOTE: When selecting cucumbers for pickling, there are a few things to remember. For crisp pickles, choose ripe, pickling cucumbers, which are shorter and chunkier than regular eating cucumbers, which tend to be longer and smoother. Ripe pickling cucumbers are darker green, firm, and not "bloated." They should have plenty of spiny bumps on the outer surface. Overripe cucumbers make mushy pickles. They tend to have yellow or white streaks or spots and their surfaces are smoother. Choose pickles that have not been coated in wax, as the pickling brine cannot penetrate through the wax. The fresher the cucumbers, the crisper the pickles will be. For best results, try picking your own cucumbers from a local farm or farmers' market.
Provided by Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time P14DT2h55m
Yield 4 pints
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place cucumbers, onions, pickling salt, and water in a large, non-reactive bowl. Cover and allow cucumbers to soak for 2 hours. Drain the water from the onions and cucumbers through a colander and rinse well for 5 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
- Combine the vinegars, sugar, mustard seeds, turmeric, cloves, garlic, and peppers in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and add the cucumbers and onions. Bring to a simmer and remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Fill each of the hot sterilized pint-size preserving jars with the pickle mixture, dividing them evenly, and enough of the liquid to come within 1/2-inch of the top. Add 1/2 teaspoon of Natural Pickle Crisp to each jar, if desired. With a clean damp towel, wipe the rim and fit with a hot lid. Screw on the metal ring just until the point of resistance is met. Process the jars in a hot-water bath for 15 minutes.
- Using tongs, remove the jars, place on a towel, and let cool. Test the seals by allowing the jars to stand at room temperature overnight or until the lids pop. Tighten the rings and store in a cool dry place. Let the pickles age for at least 2 weeks before using.
SWEET-AND-SPICY BREAD-AND-BUTTER PICKLES
You'll want to put these pickles on every sandwich and burger you make.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Yield Makes about 6 cups
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- To draw out excess liquid and increase crunch, toss cucumbers and onion with salt in a large colander. Add ice, and toss again. Place over a bowl, and refrigerate, tossing occasionally, for 3 hours. Drain. Rinse well, and drain again.
- Bring vinegar, sugar, mustard and celery seeds, peppercorns, turmeric, and red-pepper flakes to a boil in a saucepan. Add cucumbers and onion. Return to a boil (if using squashes, add them, then remove from heat; do not return to a boil).
- Ladle into 3 hot sterilized pint jars, leaving about 1/2 inch below each jar's neck. Wipe rims of jars with a clean, damp cloth; cover tightly with sterilized lids and screw tops. Using tongs or a jar clamp, transfer jars to a rack in a large canning pot or a large, deep pot filled with hot water, being sure to keep jars upright at all times. (Jars should be spaced 1 inch apart, and should not touch sides of pot.) Cover with water by 1 inch. Cover pot, and bring to a boil. Process jars in boiling water for 10 minutes. Let cool. Press down on each lid. If lid pops back, it's not sealed; refrigerate unsealed jars immediately, and use within 1 month. Sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
BEST EVER SWEET PICKLES
I pack away homegrown cucumbers every summer. This recipe is based on the pickled veggies in Brown Eggs and Jam Jars by Aimee Wimbush-Bourque, but I've made it less mustardy and more garlicky to fit my family's tastes. This method keeps them incredibly, refreshingly crunchy. -Ellie Martin Cliffe, Taste of Home Digital Deputy Editor
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 pints.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large nonreactive bowl, combine cucumbers, onion and salt. Cover with crushed ice and mix well. Let stand 3 hours. Drain; rinse and drain thoroughly., In a Dutch oven, combine sugar, water, vinegars, mustard seed, celery seed and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add cucumber mixture; return to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 4-5 minutes or until heated through., Carefully ladle hot mixture into 4 hot wide-mouth 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Add 3 garlic cloves and 1 bay leaf to each jar. Remove air bubbles and, if necessary, adjust headspace by adding hot pickling liquid. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 35 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 175mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.
SWEET AND SPICY EGGPLANT PICKLE
Steps:
- 1. Peel 1 kilogram of eggplant. Dice eggplant into 1/3-1/2 inch sized cubes. The smaller the pieces, the better/quicker they fry. 2. Put eggplant in a colander over a pan and sprinkle generously with salt (perhaps ¾-1 tablespoon of salt) and let sit for at least 2-3 hours, allowing excess water to drain off. 3. Prepare 8 decent-sized cloves of garlic. Prepare 3 inches of ginger. Cut both into small pieces. Place 8-10 small red chilis (depending on heat you desire) with stems cut off, garlic, and ginger in ¼ cup of oil and blend well. 4. Dry roast 1 tsp of fenugreek, 3 tsp of cumin seeds, ¾ tsp of coriander seeds, and 4 whole green cardamom pods (open cardamom pods). After roasted, put these 4 things, along with 2/3 tsp of mustard seeds, into a hand grinder. Grind to a fine powder. 5. Heat 1/2 cup of sunflower oil in pan, and fry 1/3 of eggplant until begins to turn golden brown (you need to make sure the eggplant is properly fried so that the texture of the pickle is correct but make sure not to burn the eggplant!) Remove with spatula (allowing oil to drain back into pan), and set aside. Add another ½ cup of oil, then fry remaing two batches of eggplant in the same way. 6. With remaining oil in pan, fry the garlic/ginger/red chili paste, as well as 12-15 small green chilies (with stems removed) for 5-7 minutes. 7. Add spice blend, 1/3 tsp of whole mustard seeds, 1 stick of cinnamon, and ½ to 2/3 teaspoon of turmeric powder. Add small handful of curry leaves. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes. 8. Add fried eggplant cubes. 9. Add 1/2 cup of rice vinegar. Allow to cook down. Add another 1/2 cup of vinegar when you notice that it looks a bit dry, and allow to continue to cook down. 10. Add 8 tablespoons of dark brown sugar (or 6 tablespoons, and ½-1 tablespoon of white sugar). Add sugar gradually, to suit your taste. Add salt by 1/4 teaspoons, to suit your taste (3/4-1 teaspoon) 11. Squeeze half a lime over chutney if desired.
SWEET AND SPICY PICKLES
Sweet tasting pickles that pack a punch. First time I tasted this recipe was when a lady at work brought them in.
Provided by farmwife
Categories Vegetable
Time 15m
Yield 1 gallon
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- This is super easy to make and will be a sure hit with family and friends.
- Even people that do not like dill pickles like these sweet and spicy pickles.
- Drain all juice off the gallon of dill pickles.
- Slice each pickle length wise and then cut into bite size pieces (about 1/2 inch thick).
- In the gallon jar layer 1/4 of the pickles pieces, 1/2 oz of the Tabasco Sauce and 1 cup of sugar.
- Repeat three more times using all ingredients.
- Let pickles set overnight.
GRANDMA'S SPICY SWEET PICKLES
Good old fashioned pickles from Grandma. This recipe is nearly 100 years old, passed from generation to generation. These are great pickles, and really very easy.
Provided by Donna M.
Categories Vegetable
Time P7DT15m
Yield 1 batch
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Slice cucumbers about 1/8 inch thick.
- Pour salt over cucumbers.
- Pour enough boiling water over all to cover.
- Stir and let stand 8 hours or overnight.
- Drain and discard brine.
- In a saucepan, combine vinegar, 1 cup sugar, spices and alum.
- Bring to a boil.
- Put cucumbers in a large glass jar or plastic bucket with lid or a stoneware crock.
- Pour boiling vinegar mixture over cucumbers.
- Cover and let stand.
- Next day, and each consecutive day for 5 days total, stir in one additional cup of sugar.
- Do not reheat when sugar is added.
- At the end of the 5th day, pickles are done and may be stored in covered jar.
- Do not seal jars.
- Pickles will keep indefinitely and get better with age.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 5195.2, Fat 6.9, SaturatedFat 0.9, Sodium 37781.8, Carbohydrate 1281.2, Fiber 11.5, Sugar 1233.9, Protein 15.8
SWEET-AND-SOUR QUICK PICKLES
Inspired by classic bread-and-butter pickles, these sweet-and-sour pickles are a bit more sour than sweet with a hint of mustard and dill. Apple cider vinegar lends a fruitier flavor to the no-cook brine than white vinegar, which is often used for making cucumber pickles.
Provided by Justin Chapple
Categories side-dish
Time 6h10m
Yield 1 quart
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Stuff the cucumbers and dill into a 1-quart glass or plastic jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- In another 1-quart jar, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and mustard. Close the jar and shake vigorously until the sugar and salt dissolve. Pour over the cucumbers, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours (preferably overnight) or up to 1 month.
Tips:
- Choosing the right eggplant: Select firm, young eggplants with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid eggplants that are too large or have wrinkles, as they may be bitter.
- Preparing the eggplant: Cut the eggplant into desired shapes and sizes, then soak them in salted water for at least 30 minutes to remove bitterness. Rinse and drain thoroughly before cooking.
- Cooking the eggplant: Eggplant can be cooked using various methods, such as frying, roasting, or grilling. When frying, use a non-stick pan with a small amount of oil to prevent the eggplant from absorbing too much oil. For roasting, drizzle the eggplant with olive oil and season with salt and pepper before placing it in a preheated oven.
- Balancing flavors: The key to making a delicious eggplant pickle is to achieve a balance between sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Adjust the amount of sugar, vinegar, and chili peppers according to your taste preferences.
- Storing the pickle: Once the pickle is ready, store it in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dark place. The pickle can be stored for up to a month.
Conclusion:
Sweet and spicy eggplant pickle is a versatile condiment that can be enjoyed in various ways. It can be served as a side dish with rice, curries, or grilled meats. It can also be used as a sandwich spread or as a dipping sauce for appetizers. With its unique flavor profile, this pickle is sure to add a tangy and spicy kick to your meals. Experiment with different combinations of spices and ingredients to create your own signature eggplant pickle recipe.
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