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  • 1kg shallots
  • 140g coarse crystal sea salt

For the pickling vinegar

Nutrition: per tbsp

  • kcal26
  • fat0g
    low
  • saturates0g
  • carbs4g
  • sugars4g
  • fibre2g
  • protein1g
  • salt0.9g
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Method

  • step 1

    The day before pickling, put the shallots in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to cool, then drain and peel away the skins and trim the root ends.

  • step 2

    In a large bowl, mix the coarse crystal sea salt with 300ml boiling water and let it dissolve to make a brining solution. Add 1.2 litres cold water, then the shallots. Cover and leave to soak overnight. The next day, drain, rinse then drain again. Pack the shallots into sterilised jars (see tip below).

  • step 3

    To make the pickling vinegar, put the whole spices in a medium saucepan. Toast over a low heat until they begin to smell aromatic. Add the dried chilli flakes last, as these can easily catch.

  • step 4

    Add the bay, pour in all of the vinegar and sugar, let it dissolve, and bring to a simmer.

  • step 5

    Pour the hot vinegar over the shallots and seal while hot. Ready to eat in 1 month, or longer, if you like.

RECIPE TIPS
STERILISING JARS AND EQUIPMENT

Wash jars and lids in hot, soapy water, rinse, then place on a baking tray and put in a low oven for 10 mins or until completely dry. If you want to use rubber seals, remove the seals and cover in just-boiled water. Make sure you sterilise any funnels, ladles or spoons you’re going to be using too. All equipment must be sparklingly clean before you begin, to eliminate bacteria or yeasts from the equation.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT VINEGAR

For pickles to last in the jar, the vinegar must be 6% acidity. White wine and malt vinegars are 6%, but cider vinegar has slightly lower acidity, so is more suitable for chutneys.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SALT

Do not use table salt for pickling, as the anti-caking agents can give a cloudy, discoloured result. Look for either coarse crystal or coarse grain salt. 

COVER THE VEG

Allow a few centimetres of space at the top of the jar and make sure the vegetables are well-covered in vinegar. A pestle or the end of a rolling pin is ideal for pushing the veg down into the vinegar. 

STORING THE PICKLES

When salted or brined and pickled, and kept in a cool, dark place, these pickles should last, unopened, for several months. Softer vegetables, such as beans and cucumbers, are most likely to go soggy sooner, as they are the most watery.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, September 2015

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Comments, questions and tips (9)

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A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.5 ratings

trebs13

question

Can you mix White vinegar and Malt vinegar ?

wnhbj9vd856Tumz6kL

Is white malt vinegar going to produce as good a flavour?

Dan0301

question

What do you mean by 700ml plus 31/2 tbls?

goodfoodteam avatar
goodfoodteam

Hi, thanks for your question. It's a bit confusing but it just means 700ml and an extra 3-and-a-half tablespoons of vinegar (so in total you need 755ml). It was written this way as not all measuring jugs can measure the 55ml accurately). We hope this helps. Best wishes, BBC Good Food Team.

Susan Boylan

question

Can this recipe be halved? Also, what can replace mace blades as I can't find them? Thanks.

goodfoodteam avatar
goodfoodteam

Hi, thanks for your question. Yes you can halve it - just keep ratios the same. You can swap mace for ground or grated nutmeg. Best wishes, BBC Good Food Team.

davidastorey

I’m rather confused about the quantity of the vinegar. What do you mean by 700ml plus 31/2 tbls?

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