Jars........

annaangeluk_2

I want to start making some pickled veg (onions, cucumbers etc) but don't want to have to go out and buy special jars.

I have quite a few pasta sauce jars and was wondering if they would be suitable once they'd been sterilised?

Also, how do I sterilise jars?! Sorry for being thick!:o Any recipes for pickled veg would be great too! I'm trying to stop wasting veg so thought pickling some of it now and again might be a good idea!

Thanks in advance!

Anna x

Stephen_Leak

They should be fine. I use old 200g Nescafe instant coffee jars for pickled eggs.

Obviously, you wash them up as normal and remove the labels. Then, when I come to use them, I just fill them with boiling water from the kettle, leave it for a bit and then pour it off (holding the jar with tea towel!) into the washing up bowl for use later. Any remaining bugs should cop it when the white vinegar goes in.

marygoodwife

hi there i just wash the jars and put them in the oven on low on some kitchen towel, for 10 mins, and steam the lids. there is no problem dont be tempted to go somewhere and spend a bomb!!!!..... one other bit of advice ..label everything even the ingriedients on the jar...cant go wrong ....happy preserving!!!!!!

powershopper

Hi there annaangeluk
a gal after me own heart! Pasta sauce jars are great for pickles, usually being a bit taller than most, and if you have managed to keep the lids, even better!
Sterilising jars for pickles isn't quite as vital as it would be for jam, and if you put them thru the dishwasher they will be fine. Or you could just wash them in the sink, not forgetting to rinse the jars.
Google pickles and you will find LOADS. If you feel adventurous and have some fruit in excess, try MOSTARDA. Its an italian pickle, and I made some about a month ago, it looks fabulous in the jar! Can't wait for it to mature,
good luck
:j :j :T :T

cookie_monster

I get my jars free of charge from my local chip shop, I use the ones they sell pickled eggs in. Ask at your local chippie as they normally throw them away after use.

Mrs_Cupier

All my jars are reused from jam, coffee, shop-bought pickles etc. I sterilise either by washing in hot soapy water, rinsing and drying in a low oven; or using hot from the dhiswasher; or, in a pinch, putting a couple of inches of water in the bottom and microwaving them for 2 or 3 minutes. Be careful with that last one, because if you put too little water in you'll shatter the jar in the microwave.

Note - be sure that you use the jars you want to (eg not the pretty shaped one's you'd earmarked for Christmas present jams and jellies) because once you've pickled in them they'll always smell of vinegar and you're stuffed. Go on, ask me how I know!

Penelope_Penguin

Try this thread - where to find glass jars. I'll add this thread to that one later.

For sterilising try sterilising jam jars.

Penny. x