Pickled Egg

Pickled egg is the egg that has been preserved by hard boiling and pickling in a solution of vinegar, salt, spices and seasonings. It is served as a snack or a part of a main course meal, and is an excellent way of preserving eggs while experimenting with the original taste in many different ways.

 

Pickled eggs are hard boiled eggs that have been preserved by pickling it in vinegar. Picked eggs are hard boiled and shelled before submerging them in a jar of brine solution with seasonings to impart a sweet or spicy taste to it. Pickled eggs are often used in appetizers using eggs. They are also a popular bar snack and are served with drinks like beer. They are often commercially available at fish and chips outlets and are a good source of ready protein for campers or travelers as they keep well without refrigeration for a long time. Eggs are also often pickled with beets which gives them a red or pinkish color.

 

Pickled Egg Recipe Overview

To pickle eggs, they are first hard boiled, after which their shell is removed and they are treated in a solution of vinegar, spices, salt and seasonings. Eggs being used for pickling should be fresh and have clean and smooth shells. The pickling solution is usually boiled for a few minutes and then poured over the hard boiled and peeled eggs. There are many recipe variations for the kind of solution used. The eggs may be allowed to stand in this solution for anywhere between a few days to a few months. Improper means of pickling may also cause food poisoning, hence, pickling of eggs should be done very carefully. Very long exposure to the pickling solution may cause the eggs to attain a rubbery texture.

 

Serving Pickled Eggs

Pickled egg is served as a part of the main course or for hors d’oevres. They may also be used as a garnish for other dishes. They may be used in salads, sandwiches, or as a snack accompaniment to crackers and beverages. Though in the olden times, they used to be served in bars too, but very few modern establishments serve them now, due to changing customer tastes and preferences. They are served in bars in various ways, like on a napkin, plate, cocktail stick, or in a bag containing vinegar and salt crisps.

 

Pickled Egg Recipe Variations

  • For the Pensylvanian Dutch variant of egg pickle, beets are used in the pickling solution, which impart a pink color to the pickled egg, along with a distinct taste. They are called red beet eggs or pickled beet eggs.

 

  • Michigan has its own variant of egg pickle, which is spicy in taste and includes jalapeno peppers.

 

  • Cidered eggs are a kind of egg pickle made by including apple juice or apple cider in the pickling solution. 

 

  • Pineapple pickled egg is made by including pineapple juice as an ingredient. Sliced onions, salt, sugar and spices are also added to the vinegar solution.

 

  • Dark, & Spicy Eggs are prepared by use of brown sugar, granulated sugar and liquid smoke as additional ingredients.

 

  • Dilled Eggs are a version prepared by using seasonings like dill, mustard seeds, white pepper, onion and garlic.

 

Buying and Storing Pickled Eggs

Egg pickle can be purchased from fish and chip stores in the United Kingdom and also in Australia. They are stored in air tight jars.

 

Nutritional Information on Egg Pickle

Egg pickle is an example of a low-carbohydrate and high-protein diet. It contains all of the egg’s original amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and hence, it is a healthy as well as tasty option. There are approximately 72 calories in 1 large sized pickled egg, and it contains about 64% fat, 33% protein and 3% carbohydrates.