Late this Summer, I had the chance to do something that I haven’t taken time to do in years!! I made homemade pickles! I have had the pleasure of hanging out at lots of amazing farmers’ markets this year so I’ve had the chance to pick up lots of fresh berries and produce all Summer. I’ve developed a particularly extreme affinity for pea shoots and sunflower sprouts from Bramble Hill Farm this year. With some fresh berries and feta, they make such pretty salads!
I was at the Earltown Farmers Market a couple of weeks ago (which is a really fun market, by the way), and I was checking out the produce from a distance as I worked at my table selling Nerdy Bits. Looking at the colourful baskets filled with beans and peas and cucumbers was so inspiring! I picked up some fresh cucumbers and yellow beans from North of Nutby Farm and my pickling adventure was ready to begin!
My sister-in-law very kindly donated some HUGE zucchini to my collection of fresh goodness and I was ready to make some awesomeness in a jar.
On a cool but sunny, Sunday afternoon, my produce bounty was turned into a really yummy and colourful Zucchini Relish, a batch of zesty Mustard Beans, some crunchy and sweet Bread & Butter Pickles and a couple of Chocolate Zucchini Loaves. I had forgotten how much I really enjoy canning and bottling. There is something so satisfying about making homemade foods and I admit, I take a rather extreme enjoyment from the sound of snapping can lids as they seal.
The nicest thing about having all of this canned goodness is that I get to enjoy all of the flavours and colours of these yummy vegetables all Winter. Those who know me well, know how very much I love to spend time in my kitchen creating good food. This day was a throwback to when I used to plant a little garden and spend time each September doing up the fresh gown items from it. It was such a great reminder of all the things I love about late Summer and good food.
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