The Best Jamie Oliver Pickled Courgette Recipe for Your Table

Pickled courgette transforms ordinary vegetables into a tangy culinary adventure that sparks your taste buds with unexpected zest.

These crisp, vibrant preserves capture summer’s essence in a jar, delivering complex flavor profiles that dance across your palate.

Jamie approach elevates this humble ingredient through a delicate balance of vinegar, spices, and careful technique.

Green and bright, these pickles bring sharp notes that complement rich, hearty dishes with surprising elegance.

Each jar represents a mini-masterclass in preserving seasonal produce with creativity and precision.

The magic happens when simple ingredients merge into something extraordinary, turning modest courgettes into a condiment that electrifies meals.

Prepare to revolutionize your plate with these irresistible pickled morsels: your dining experience will never be the same.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Pickled Courgette Brightens a Dish

• Maximize Flavor Punch: These pickled courgettes deliver an incredible tangy burst that transforms ordinary vegetables into a gourmet side dish, adding exciting depth to any meal with minimal effort.
• Super Quick Prep: The recipe requires simple slicing and brining techniques that even beginner cooks can master, taking less than 30 minutes of active cooking time while creating restaurant-quality pickles.
• Versatile Culinary Companion: These zesty pickles complement multiple dishes like sandwiches, salads, charcuterie boards, and grilled meats, offering a refreshing acidic counterpoint that elevates entire meal experiences.
• Healthy Preservation Method: By using a light pickling technique, you're creating a low-calorie condiment that maintains vegetable nutrients while extending the courgettes' shelf life through a traditional preservation method.

Must-Have Ingredients for Jamie Oliver Pickled Courgette

• Courgettes: Fresh, young summer squash with delicate flavor, best when firm and small.
• Shallots: Mild onion with subtle sweetness, adding depth to the pickled dish.

• Salt: Crucial for drawing out moisture and enhancing vegetable preservation.
• White Sugar: Balances acidity and adds gentle sweetness to the pickle.

• White Wine Vinegar: Sharp, tangy liquid providing primary pickling acid.
• Water: Helps dilute vinegar and create balanced pickling liquid.
• Mustard Seeds: Small seeds adding subtle spicy crunch and traditional pickle flavor.
• Black Peppercorns: Whole spice providing gentle heat and aromatic background note.
• Bay Leaf: Herbal undertone that complements vegetable's natural taste.
• Thyme: Delicate herb bringing light, earthy dimension to pickle liquid.

Creating Jamie Oliver Pickled Courgette in Easy Steps

Step 1: Prepare Courgettes

Slice courgettes into thin rounds using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer. Place slices in a large bowl with diced shallots. Sprinkle of salt over the vegetables. Fill bowl with cold water and mix gently. Let the mixture sit for 1 hour to draw out excess moisture.

Step 2: Drain and Dry Vegetables

Drain the water completely. Pat courgettes and shallots dry using paper towels or clean kitchen towels. Ensure vegetables are thoroughly dried to prevent watery pickles.

Step 3: Create Pickling Brine

• White vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Granulated sugar
• Mustard seeds
• Black peppercorns

Heat mixture on medium flame until it starts simmering. Continue simmering for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar completely. Remove from heat and let cool until warm.

Step 4: Combine Vegetables and Brine

Pour warm brine over dried courgette and shallot mixture. Stir carefully to ensure even coating of all vegetables.

Step 5: Sterilize and Pack Jars

• Washing thoroughly with hot, soapy water
• Drying in oven preheated to 340°F (170°C) for 10 minutes

Carefully spoon pickled courgettes and brine into sterilized jars. Seal jars tightly with clean lids.

Step 6: Refrigerate and Mature

Place sealed jars in refrigerator. Allow pickles to develop flavor for 2-3 days before serving. Pickles will keep in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Pointers for Perfect Courgette Pickles

• Pickle Perfection: Develop complex flavors by letting courgettes rest in the refrigerator for a few days after pickling.
• Preserve with Care: Sterilize glass jars completely to prevent bacterial contamination and extend pickle shelf life.
• Customize Your Crunch: Experiment with different vinegar types like apple cider or white wine vinegar to create unique flavor profiles.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp mandoline for uniform, thin courgette rounds that ensure even pickling and professional presentation.
• Moisture Management: Sprinkle salt on courgette slices beforehand to draw out excess water, guaranteeing crisp, crunchy pickles with intense flavor.

Keeping Jamie Oliver’s Pickled Courgette Fresh

• Refrigeration Method: Store pickled courgettes in airtight glass jars immediately after preparation. Keep jars tightly sealed in the coldest part of your refrigerator to preserve their zesty crunch and vibrant flavors. Pro chefs recommend consuming within 2-3 weeks for optimal taste and texture.
• Jar Hygiene Method: Sterilize glass containers thoroughly before storing pickled courgettes. Wash jars with hot, soapy water and rinse completely. Dry with clean kitchen towels or air-dry to prevent moisture buildup that could trigger bacterial growth. Always use spotless utensils when serving to maintain pickle quality and prevent contamination.
• Inspection Method: Perform weekly visual and sensory checks on your pickled courgettes. Look for any signs of mold, unusual color changes, or off-putting odors.

Variations for a Fun Twist on Pickled Courgette

• Spicy Zucchini Pickle Kick: Add red chili flakes or sliced fresh jalapeños to the brine for a fiery flavor that will wake up your taste buds. The heat will complement the tangy pickling liquid perfectly.
• Herb-Infused Garden Pickle: Mix in fresh thyme, dill, or rosemary sprigs during the pickling process to create an aromatic version that brings fresh herbal notes to the classic recipe. These herbs will provide an extra layer of complexity to the pickled courgettes.
• Mediterranean Pickle Blend: Incorporate crushed garlic cloves and black peppercorns into the brine for a Mediterranean-inspired variation. This approach adds depth and a subtle warmth that transforms the traditional pickle into a more robust condiment.
• Asian-Inspired Pickle Fusion: Replace some of the vinegar with rice vinegar and add a small amount of grated ginger and a splash of soy sauce to create an East Asian-influenced pickle with a unique umami undertone.

Looking Back at Jamie Oliver Pickled Courgette

Pickled courgettes offer Mediterranean charm with Jamie Oliver’s simple recipe.

Garden-fresh zucchini transform into tangy, crisp delicacies through this quick pickling method.

Shallots provide subtle depth while vinegar creates complex flavor profiles.

Home kitchens can easily recreate this gourmet condiment with minimal ingredients and effort.

Mediterranean culinary traditions shine through these quick pickles, connecting global taste experiences.

When friends gather around your table, these pickled courgettes will spark conversation and culinary curiosity – sharing becomes an invitation to explore, connect, and savor international flavors you’ll absolutely adore.

Jamie Oliver Pickled Courgette Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Jamie Oliver’s pickled courgette brings Mediterranean zest to your plate with minimal effort. Quick-preserved vegetables offer a tangy, crisp companion to grilled meats and sandwiches that you can enjoy all week long.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 500 grams (17.6 ounces) courgettes (zucchinis)
• 3 shallots, finely chopped

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon celery seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• ½ dried chili, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons pure salt

Liquid and Sweeteners:

• 500 milliliters (16.9 fluid ounces) apple cider vinegar
• 140 grams (4.9 ounces) golden caster sugar

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Instructions

1. Using a sharp mandoline or chef’s knife, carefully slice zucchinis into delicate, uniform rounds approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) thick.
2. Transfer zucchini slices into a spacious mixing bowl and incorporate finely chopped shallots. Generously sprinkle kosher salt over the vegetable mixture, allowing it to draw out excess moisture.
3. Gently pour cold filtered water over the salted vegetables, ensuring complete submersion. Allow the mixture to rest at room temperature for 60 minutes, enabling the salt to draw out water and soften the zucchini.
4. After resting, thoroughly drain the vegetables using a colander. Meticulously pat each slice and shallot piece dry using clean kitchen towels or paper towels, removing all excess liquid.
5. In a medium saucepan, combine white vinegar, granulated sugar, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and water. Heat the brine mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until sugar completely dissolves and liquid reaches a gentle simmer.
6. Remove brine from heat and allow it to cool until warm to the touch, approximately 5-7 minutes. The temperature should be comfortable for handling.
7. Carefully transfer the dried zucchini and shallot mixture into the warm brine, ensuring each slice is thoroughly coated and submerged.
8. Sterilize two 16-ounce (500 milliliters) glass mason jars by washing them in hot, soapy water and drying them in an oven preheated to 340°F (170°C) for 10 minutes.
9. Using a clean spoon, distribute the zucchini and brine evenly between the sterilized jars, leaving a small headspace at the top.
10. Seal the jars tightly with their respective lids and refrigerate. Allow the pickles to develop flavor for 48-72 hours before consuming.

Notes

• Store pickled courgettes in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, enjoying their vibrant flavor and crisp texture.
• Refrigerate for 2-3 days to allow flavors to develop and intensify, creating a more complex taste profile.
• Sterilize jars meticulously to ensure food safety and preserve the pickles’ quality and longevity.
• Warm brine infuses vegetables with a balanced sweetness and sharp vinegar notes that dance on your palate.
• Salt water helps draw out excess moisture, guaranteeing a perfectly crunchy and clean pickle texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 1000mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg