Pickling Spices Help Needed

viv0147

Hi I have just made 2 large jars of pickle onions never made them before this is how I did them, do you think the method I used is ok. I peeled them then left them in salt water for 24 hours, then rinsed them in cold water, put them in large jars and then added spiced non brewed vinegar to cover the onions. So hopefully they will be nice for Christmas, I have another 5kg of onions to do so a few more tears Lol. I didn't use pickling spices is it worth adding them for the next batch, if so where would be the best place to buy them and roughly what Quantity would I need for 5 kg. I would like to make a few jars a bit stronger so all tips would be really welcome.Thanks

Fruball

I've not made them before but have done some reading up on it as I would like to soon.

One tip I got from here is to peel the onions underwater (the onion, not you ) then you won't cry

RAS

Viv

i am confused

Non-brewed condiment is not vinegar, it is a vinegar substitute. What percentage acidity is it?

elsien

I usually put a small amount of sugar in as well to take the edge off them, and buy pickling vinegar with the spices already added. A local store sells it, the price varies but under £2 for the large plastic containers (not sure of the quantity as I'm not organised this year yet) but it's bigger and cheaper than the supermarket glass bottles.

Seakay

I know it's cheaper but it isn't vinegar!
"Non-brewed condiment is a vinegar substitute created with water, acetic acid, flavourings and caramel colour."
You need to compare the acidity to brewed vinegar to find out if it will be as successful a preserving agent.

Pickling spices are usually a mixture of peppercorns, ginger root, coriander seeds and sometimes chillis.

Here is a recipe for 1kg onions:http://britishfood.about.com/od/recipeindex/r/pickonions.htm

Here is a recipe for spicing 2 pints of vinegar to use for pickled onions:http://www.allotment.org.uk/recipe/157/quick-spiced-vinegar-recipe/

Alison_Funnell

All the really cheap vinegars I have ever bought (A*da , T*scos, Sa**sburys etc) are the same acicity as more expensive ones. I have found them perfectly suitable for pickling and preserving.

elsien

Seakay wrote: »

I know it's cheaper but it isn't vinegar!

Pickling vinegar isn't vinegar? Always worked fine for me.

viv0147

RAS wrote: »

Viv

i am confused

Non-brewed condiment is not vinegar, it is a vinegar substitute. What percentage acidity is it?

its 5% I bought the onions at a grocers it was 5kg of onions with 5 litres of spiced non brewed condiment for £4,95 for them both, so naturally I assumed that was ok. I hope it was but the good news is I haven't started on the 5kg of onions yet so if I have to waste 2 jars of pickles that wont be so bad but I will be gutted and annoyed at the grocers for selling them as a package if they aren't suitable.

RAS

The thing about non-brewed condiment is that it is cheap to produce. At 5% it will preserve your onions but it will taste harsh. I would be tempted to add a little honey or sugar to see if you can mask it.

It was really produce originally for the temperance movement becuase it did not use any sort of alcohol as a base, then taken up in the war as it was easier to make.

get yourself so good quality vinegar of any sort you like as long as it is 5% proof or over and add about a teaspoon of spices per litre- mustard, coriander, whatever you like and maybe a chilli, and may add some sugar r honey (just a little). Warm it gently and leave to meld a little while, covered.

Murielson

I have been making my own onions for a few years and the way you make them is down to personal taste. I make some with spiced vinegar, then add more spices to some jars, then add some chillies to other jars. Different levels of spicing for different tastes.

I understand what people are saying about 'is it vinegar' but the 5% rule tends to work and if you and yours like them then the pickles are fine. If you stick with it you will adapt your flavours to suit you year on year and will be producing pickles for you, family anf friends and they are normally very appreciative.

I have just got a 10kg bag of onions and am now looking for the vinegar to go with them. Really looking forward to the tears and stinking hands which ar ea by product of doing your own pickles!!