Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 cauliflower
- 2 onions
Pickling Brine
- 1/3 cup salt (divided use)
- 2 cups cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup cornflour (cornstarch)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder
Instructions
- Prepare Cauliflower: Break the cauliflower into small florets. Place them into a baking dish and sprinkle with two-thirds of the salt. Pour in enough water to cover the florets completely. Set aside and allow to rest overnight to draw out moisture and begin the pickling process.
- Prepare Onions: Roughly chop the onions and place them in a separate baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining salt over them. Do not add any water. Set aside to rest overnight along with the cauliflower.
- Rinse Vegetables: The next day, drain the cauliflower florets from the soaking water. Rinse both the cauliflower and onions thoroughly under cold water to remove excess salt. Drain well to prepare for cooking.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the drained cauliflower and onions into a saucepan. Add the whole cloves and pour in the cider vinegar.
- Simmer Vegetables: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to soften the vegetables and infuse flavors.
- Add Spices and Thicken: Stir in the brown sugar, cornflour, turmeric, mustard powder, curry powder, and cayenne pepper. Continue stirring over low heat until the sugar dissolves and the spices are well combined.
- Final Simmer: Bring the mixture back to a boil, then simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the brine starts to thicken slightly, indicating that the pickling liquid has reached the right consistency.
- Jar the Pickles: Remove the pan from heat. Pour the hot pickle mixture into sterilized jars and seal immediately to preserve freshness and extend shelf life.
- Cool and Store: Allow the jars to cool to room temperature. Then, store the pickles in the refrigerator. They can be enjoyed after cooling and will develop even better flavor after a few days.
Notes
- Using vinegar with at least 5% acidity ensures proper preservation.
- Sterilizing jars is crucial to prevent spoilage.
- The overnight soaking of vegetables helps improve texture and flavor absorption.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control spiciness.
- These pickles should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a few weeks for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian