Saturday, August 04, 2007

Finocchio Piccolo: Piccolo Pickle-Ohs

Inspired by Paul Virant--the pickle guy?--and borrowing the use of star anise and citrus peel from a Martha Stewart recipe, these pickled baby fennel are going to make squisiti antipasti, come fall.

3 small bunches baby fennel
1 qt. white vinegar
1 cup water
6 Tbs. kosher salt
peel of one lemon
2 whole star anise



1. Wash fennel well, making sure to pry open stalks to release dirt.

2. Trim fennel tops and pack baby fennel, lemon peel and star anise into one sterilized quart-size jar.

3. Boil vinegar, liquid and salt until salt is dissolved (five minutes).

4. Pour hot liquid over fennel, close lid and process in a hot water canner for 10 minutes.

Friday, August 03, 2007

Salt-n-Pepa Here


















The following was adapted from the pickled hot chiles in Gourmet, 2002.

These pickles ain't for everybody.
Only the sexy people.

1 Qt. white vinegar
1 1/2 cups water
6 Tbs. kosher salt
1 lb small hot chiles (5 cups)
5 garlic cloves
1 tsp. dill seed
1 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. black mustard seed
1 tsp. Wynad peppercorns
1 strip lemon peel