Mustard Pickle

Mustard pickle is prepared by preserving a range of vegetables in turmeric, vinegar and spices. The exact vegetables that are used in the mustard pickle will vary according to individual recipes.

 

Mustard Pickles: History

Not much is known about the actual history of the mustard pickle. However, preserving vegetables in vinegar has been a tradition in several countries around the world. In the US and Canada, the term always refers to vegetables like pearl onions, cucumbers or cauliflower that has been soaked in a solution of vinegar, turmeric, and dry mustard powder.

 

Mustard Pickle Recipe: Ingredients Used and Preparation Overview

In the US and Canada, mustard pickle is made with vegetables like pickling cucumbers, pearl onions and whole heads of cauliflower. The vegetables are cut into small pieces and soaked overnight in cold water and salt. The next day the vegetables are rinsed and dried. In a large pan, a solution of mustard, turmeric, pickling salt, sugar, and spices is cooked till boiling point. The vegetables are added and simmered till they are cooked through. The pickle is then canned in sterilized jars. Traditionally, flour is added to the cooking pickle to thicken the eventual mix.  

 

Serving and Eating Mustard Pickles

This pickle can be served as a relish with sandwiches and snacks. It can also be used as a sandwich spread.

 

Popular Mustard Pickle Recipe Variations

Mustard pickle recipes vary considerably. For example, the most common variations that are seen include the following-

  • The mix of vegetables will vary from recipe to recipe. For example, traditionally mustard pickle recipes will only contain cucumber cut longitudinally and preserved overnight in vinegar and mustard. However, there are recipes that will also use capers, sweet pickles, celery, bell peppers, red peppers, and green tomatoes. Additional vegetables may be added according to personal taste.
  • The preservation liquid will vary too. Usually, the preservation liquid is acidic and vinegar is used. However, it is also common to find recipes that use dark cider vinegar, apple cider vinegar, wine vinegar, sugar, pickling salt, etc.
  • Flour was used in the earlier times to thicken the mustard based pickle.

 

Mustard Pickle: Nutrition Facts

A single serving of mustard pickle contains 13 calories. The total fat content is 0.1g, the total carbohydrate content is 2.5g and the protein content is 0.2g.

 

Trivia

Thickening the mustard pickle with flour is no longer recommended as the pickle naturally thickens as it ages with time. Five percent wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar is sometimes added to increase flavor and taste.