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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

define 'pickles'

44 replies

Alarmbellsring · 12/12/2009 23:26

When people say ham and pickels - what are pickles?

I have bought

Gerkins (does anyone actually like these?)
Pickled onions
Pickalli
Baby beetroot

Is this right?
What have I missed?

OP posts:
paisleyleaf · 12/12/2009 23:27

Chutney?

Original poster
Alarmbellsring · 12/12/2009 23:37

Thanks paisley

OP posts:
Original poster
Alarmbellsring · 12/12/2009 23:55

any other suggestions?

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WilfSell · 13/12/2009 00:00

ooooh, do you want posh pickles? An ancient Delia book has a recipe for spiced pickled pears which are delicious and taste lovely with ham...

paisleyleaf · 13/12/2009 00:09

ahh yes, or spiced peaches are christmassy too.

feedthegoat · 13/12/2009 00:10

You could always go for the vile looking pickled walnuts that my mum and grandma insist on eating every christmas . Revolting looking things mind!

Original poster
Alarmbellsring · 13/12/2009 00:27

Might pass on the vile looking walnuts although you do make them sound so appealing feedthegoat (do they taste as vile as they look?)

Pickled pears and spiced peaches sound delicious.

Is it too late to make my own pears, do they need to mature?

OP posts:
feedthegoat · 13/12/2009 00:32

I tried one last year (only after being dared by my brother ) and whilst it wasn't as bad as it looks, I certainly won't be fighting anyone for my share this year. They are black and and abit squelchy/squishy! Not a appealing at all.

Original poster
Alarmbellsring · 13/12/2009 11:22

yeh will be giving them a miss then

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CremeDeMenthe · 13/12/2009 11:25

Don't forget the Branston!

Original poster
Alarmbellsring · 13/12/2009 11:28

Forgot to mention the Branston!

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WilfSell · 13/12/2009 12:04

No - I think you can do the pears and eat them immediately. Will see if I can dig up the recipe later (am at work right now: boo). It involved juniper berries, star anise and other things. Actually, might well make some for pressies, now you have reminded me!

SofaQueen · 13/12/2009 12:13

Isn't a pickle an edible item preserved using some form of acid?

I grew up with pickles at every meal - it is a staple in every Korean household. We have many versions of pickled cabbage (kimchee), pickled cucumbers, pickled radish, pickled oysters, pickled fish, pickled beef.

The stench of kimchee (historically pickled in chili, anchovy, salt, garlic, ginger and buried for a while until ripe) is something one has to get used to, but it is addictive and delicious.

SofaQueen · 13/12/2009 12:15

Oh, I see. The OP was talking about a specific dish with pickles. Please ignore what I said.

JodieO · 13/12/2009 12:19

I love gherkins, as do my dcs and most of my family

Original poster
Alarmbellsring · 13/12/2009 13:12

Would love the recipe Wilfself.

Intrigued by the stench of kimchee - does it smell like cabbage?

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BendyBob · 13/12/2009 13:32

Pickled walnuts are awful and yet, and yet...I still like them

They look unspeakable, they smell hideous and they taste how I imagine battery acid would taste. The hard-man of the pickle aisle.

I've got to have them at Christmas though for some reason. Only once a year mind you. It takes me all year to pluck up the courage to eat them again.

Original poster
Alarmbellsring · 13/12/2009 13:41

ROFL @ 'hard man of the pickle aise'

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wordsonascreen · 13/12/2009 13:56

Sofaqueen

Am NOT ignoring your post I thought it was very interesting.. am addicted to pickles and have never heard of it.

With ham (Assuming nice) I'd have cornichons, piccalli, branston and pickled cabbage, with an eyewatering pickled onion on the side.

Slurp

WilfSell · 13/12/2009 14:11

Anyhow, if you're broadening out from pickles into general salty, vinegary things you can have with ham and cheese, then I would also often include:

coleslaw
sauerkraut
olives
vegetable antipasto such as marinated artichokes, wild mushrooms and peppers
Peppardew peppers (sweet, vinegary and ever so slightly hot - they are great)

And I also love really good mustard: hot english and mild dijon

Original poster
Alarmbellsring · 13/12/2009 14:12

Are cornichons gherkins?

It will Nigella's cola ham

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Original poster
Alarmbellsring · 13/12/2009 14:18

I was looking at Peppadew peppers yesterday during my online shop - wasn't sure of they looked weird or tasty! Will defiantly get them now.

Coleslaw, sauerkraut and olives are also fab ideas!

Will have to look into marinated artichokes - what do they taste like?

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Niecie · 13/12/2009 14:21

Had a skim and can't see it immediately but what about pickled red cabbage? Sorry if I'm repeating. Very Christmasy to me.

That and picalilli - yum

Or you could strike out in the direction of relishes, like tomato and chilli salsa type thin - I think Branston make it. Anything with a bit of a kick. This stuff Lovely with ham.

Or pickled eggs. Never had ,probably never will but saw them in Sainsburys yesterday and totally revolted DS1 by pointing them out.

Original poster
Alarmbellsring · 13/12/2009 14:37

Forgot to mention I am making Delia's spiced red cabbage with apple - this is AIBU by stealth

Probably wouldn't need sauerkraut now would I?

Niecie your link doesn't go to a product, what was you linking to?

Not sure about pickled eggs - I still have vivd memories of Gino in the jungle scoffing that vile looking egg!

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catinthehat2 · 13/12/2009 14:47

Pickled walnuts are essential, but nobody will eat them. They look like little squirrel skulls in vinegar, and you can imagine the brainy bits when you bit through. They are indeed hard core pickles. Om nom nom.