Add Some Tang with Our Sour Cherry Pickles: Perfect for Snacking, Garnishing and More!
Sour Cherry Pickles are a delicious and unique twist on classic pickling. Made with fresh sour cherries and a blend of savory spices, this recipe offers a tart and tangy flavor that is perfect for snacking or adding to savory dishes. Whether as an accompaniment to a cheeseboard, a garnish for grilled meats, or even as a base for a fruity and flavorful cocktail, these pickles are sure to tantalize your taste buds. The best part? The recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to your liking with different spices and seasonings, making it a versatile and enjoyable addition to any home cook’s culinary repertoire.
Table of Contents
The History of Sour Cherry Pickle – A Delicious Recipe
Sour cherry pickle is a scrumptious and tangy condiment that has been enjoyed for generations. Originating in Eastern Europe, sour cherry pickle quickly spread across the continent and eventually became a staple in many cultures.
Cherries have been enjoyed throughout history for their taste, nutritional value, and medicinal properties. The ancient Greeks and Romans were known to cultivate cherries for their sweet flavor and believed that they had healing properties. Tart cherries, or sour cherries, have a distinct flavor that is perfect for pickling.
Pickling has been used for centuries as a way to preserve foods for longer periods of time. Pickling also adds flavor to foods and can make them more satisfying to eat. The process of pickling involves immersing food in a mixture of vinegar, salt, spices, and sugar to create a brine. The brine preserves the food by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.
In Eastern Europe, sour cherry pickle was traditionally made during the summer months when sour cherries were in season. The process involved pitting the cherries and then pickling them in a vinegar-based brine. The addition of garlic, bay leaves, coriander seeds, allspice berries, and black peppercorns added depth and complexity to the flavor of the pickles.
Today, sour cherry pickle is still enjoyed as a delicious and healthy condiment. It can be used as a topping for sandwiches, salads, and burgers. It can also be paired with cheese or served alongside grilled meats.
Try making your own sour cherry pickle by following this easy recipe. You’ll be captivated by the flavor and cultural significance of this delightful condiment.
Enjoy!
Chef Tips: Professional Advice for making Sour Cherry Pickle
Choose the Right Type of Cherries
When selecting cherries to use in this recipe, make sure to choose sour cherries. Sweet cherries will not be suitable due to their high sugar content.
Be Careful When Handling Cherries
Cherry juice can stain clothing and countertops, so be sure to wear an apron and work on a surface that is easy to clean. Wear gloves to avoid staining your hands.
Use Quality Ingredients
The quality of your cherries and the vinegar will have a significant impact on the final taste of your pickles. Use fresh, high-quality sour cherries and a good quality vinegar.
Adjust the Seasonings to Your Taste
If you prefer a more spicy pickle, you can adjust the amount of allspice berries, black peppercorns to your taste. If you like a sweeter pickle, you can add more sugar.
Boil the Jars and Lids
Make sure to sterilize your jars and lids before use. Boil the jars and lids in hot water for a few minutes before using them to prevent spoilage.
Keep the Cherries Submerged
It’s important to ensure that the cherries are completely submerged in the brine to prevent spoilage. If the cherries aren’t fully submerged, add more brine.
Store Properly
To keep your sour cherry pickles fresh and flavorful, store them in a well-sealed jar in the fridge. They should be good for up to 1 month.
How Many Calories are in Sour Cherry Pickle?
Nutrition Facts
5 Servings per Recipe
-
Calories: 129
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 789mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 32g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 28g
- Added Sugars: 9g
- Protein: 1g
What Drinks Pair Best with Sour Cherry Pickle?
Wine pairing: A dry and crisp Riesling would be an excellent pairing for this sour cherry pickle dish as it complements the sourness of the cherries and cuts through the richness of the brine.
Beer pairing: A sour cherry pickle would pair well with a Belgian sour beer such as Rodenbach Grand Cru. The subtle sweetness of the pickled cherries will balance out the tartness of the beer.
Cocktail pairing: A suitable drink pairing for the Sour Cherry Pickle Recipe would be a classic gin and tonic. The sour and tart flavor of the pickled cherries would complement the crisp and refreshing taste of the gin and tonic, making for a perfectly balanced drink.
How to Make Sour Cherry Pickle
Ingredients
- 1 lb sour cherries
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp allspice berries
- 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
Instructions
- Wash and remove the stems from the sour cherries. Using a sharp paring knife, make a small slit around each cherry. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, bring the water, vinegar, sugar, and salt to a boil. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, bay leaves, coriander seeds, allspice berries, and black peppercorns to the simmering liquid. Stir well.
- Turn the heat off and let the brine cool for 10 minutes.
- Pour the cooled brine over the cherries in a jar. The cherries should be completely submerged in the brine.
- Cover the jar with a lid and place it in the fridge.
- Wait for 24 hours to pickle the cherries before consumption.
- The sour cherry pickles can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 month.
