With all of the fresh produce offered at the farmers markets and small grocers in Kentucky in the 80’s, many of the Thoroughbroads would pickle some of the veggies they would purchase at the road side stands or the local Doll’s or Paul’s Produce Markets. Green beans for Bloody Mary’s, green tomatoes or okra for a relish tray and cucumbers for sweet or dill pickles were the typical route the girl’s would take. Now, with the abundance of pickling all types of veggies, fruits and even meats, we are learning how to use those basic pickling techniques we used back then in a more inventive way today.

Have you ever enjoyed pickled shrimp? Have you ever used pickle juice in a cocktail or a popsicle? Have you ever pickled onions, blueberries, peaches, pineapple or even radishes? If not, then you should. They make great additions to a meal or as appetizers or even garnishment for an adult beverage.

Here is a “make your own” pickling spice recipe…

2 cinnamon sticks, 2 tsp mustard seed, 4 Tbsp coriander seed, 2 Tbsp peppercorns, 4 bay leaves, 2 tsp cloves, 2 Tbsp brown mustard seed, 4 tsp allspice, 4 tsp dill seed, 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes, 2 tsp cardamom pods, 2 tsp juniper berries

Use this with a warmed white vinegar in Ball jars over freshly washed veggies or cured meats, sealed and placed in your refrigerator for a couple of weeks…Delicious!

For spiced fruits you may want to try this recipe…

In a baking dish, combine  pineapple, apricots, peaches and pears; set aside. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, ginger and reserved pineapple juice; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes. Discard cinnamon sticks. Serve warm in a compote dish. Yummy!

Speaking of “Pickled”…some of the best adult beverages we have enjoyed lately have done just that to us, as we try new inventive cocktails created by the mixologists at our favorite bars within Bourbon country. You can get “Pickled” with the very popular Bourbon Milkshakes at the Bardstown Bourbon Company restaurant Bottle & Bond (recently named one of the top restaurants in Kentucky).

This is one of their infamous shakes, a lovely burnt Marshmallow variety with bananas and their fine quality Bourbon will ROCK you world! Be sure to visit them when you come to the Bourbon capital of the World..Bardstown, KY