Sweet Pickled Damsons Recipes

SWEET PICKLED DAIKON RADISH

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat add the vinegar, water, sugar, and turmeric. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.
• Meanwhile, peel the daikon radish and slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds. (If your daikon is very large, slice the rounds into semicircles.) Place in a colander with salt and mix well. Place the colander over a bowl and let drain for 1 hour. Rinse the salt off with a couple of changes of water and dry the daikon well. Put into a sterilized glass jar. Pour the cooled brine through a coffee filter (or a cheesecloth lined strainer) into the jar to cover the radish slices. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Will keep for about 2 weeks.

BEST EVER SWEET PICKLES

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive bowl, combine cucumbers, onion and salt. Cover with crushed ice and mix well. Let stand 3 hours. Drain; rinse and drain thoroughly., In a Dutch oven, combine sugar, water, vinegars, mustard seed, celery seed and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add cucumber mixture; return to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 4-5 minutes or until heated through., Carefully ladle hot mixture into 4 hot wide-mouth 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Add 3 garlic cloves and 1 bay leaf to each jar. Remove air bubbles and, if necessary, adjust headspace by adding hot pickling liquid. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

SWEET PICKLED DAMSONS

Steps:

• Put the vinegar, cinnamon, allspice berries, and orange juice and zest into a pan and bring to a boil. Boil for 4 to 5 minutes, then strain and allow to cool.
• Prick each plum with a needle or skewer (this will prevent them from splitting). Add the fruit to the cool spiced vinegar in a clean pan. Bring slowly to a simmer, then simmer very, very gently for 10 to 15 minutes, until the plums are just tender. Using a slotted spoon, lift out the plums and pack them into warm, sterilized jars (see p. 21).
• Return the spiced vinegar to the heat, add the sugar, and stir until dissolved. Boil for several minutes to reduce and thicken. Pour this hot spiced syrup over the plums and seal immediately with vinegar-proof lids (see p. 22). Store in a cool, dark place. These pickled damsons are best kept for 6 to 8 weeks before eating. Use within 1 year.
• You can use the same method to pickle firm cherries or green gooseberries. Rhubarb, cut into 2-inch chunks, can also be dealt with in this way - but add the sugar with the rhubarb, as it will help keep it whole.