Description
Jamie Oliver’s pickled cucumber brings zesty Mediterranean flair to any plate. Quick and simple preparation delivers a tangy side dish that elevates salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards with crisp, refreshing flavor you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 pickling cucumbers (gherkins), or 2 regular-sized cucumbers
- 2 banana shallots
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 star anise
Liquids and Sweeteners:
- 75 grams (2.6 ounces) caster sugar
- 150 milliliters (5.1 fluid ounces) vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables by carefully halving small cucumbers lengthwise or cutting regular cucumbers into slender, elongated segments. Delicately peel and create gossamer-thin slices of shallots.
- Transfer cucumber and shallot pieces into a fine-mesh strainer. Generously distribute 2 teaspoons (10 grams) of sea salt across the vegetables, allowing them to release excess moisture for 45 minutes. Thoroughly rinse with chilled water to eliminate salt residue.
- Combine mustard seeds, ground turmeric, whole star anise, granulated sugar, and white vinegar in a sturdy cooking pot. Position the vessel over medium heat, stirring ingredients to create a harmonious blend.
- Elevate the liquid mixture to a rolling boil, continuously whisking until sugar completely dissolves and integrates into the pickling solution. Maintain a steady temperature to ensure proper flavor infusion.
- Select a sanitized glass preservation jar. Meticulously pack the rinsed cucumber and shallot mixture, ensuring compact arrangement. Carefully pour the piping hot liquid over the vegetables, guaranteeing complete submersion.
- Securely seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the pickle mixture to marinate and develop complex flavors for a minimum of 24 hours before serving. Store in a cool, dark location to enhance preservation.
Notes
- Experiment with different pickle variations by swapping cucumber types or adding personal spice blends for a unique twist.
- Crisp refrigeration keeps these tangy pickles fresh and delicious for up to two weeks, ready to enhance any meal.
- Quick pickling eliminates complicated preservation techniques, delivering gourmet flavor in just a few simple steps.
- Sterilized jars guarantee food safety and maintain the pickles’ vibrant taste and crunchy texture.
- Allowing pickles to rest for 24 hours intensifies their complex flavor profile, creating a more sophisticated condiment.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: UK
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 50 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg