Who knew that I would love pickled celery? Isn't it wonderful when you discover a new taste that thrills you?
On a recent visit to Eastern Standard, I order the Ploughman's Lunch to go with my Gin & Tonic. The menu description said, "decade cheddar, pickles, pate maison." When my board arrived, it also had olives, radishes, grilled bread, and some greens. It was a perfect selection for my mood that day.
Then, I tasted the pickles. Cucumber, "very nice." Onion, "tasty." Celery, "who knew pickled celery was this good? Is pickled celery a new thing I had not yet discovered?"
Back at my desk, I researched and found it is not new. I discovered new and old recipes for it in very old cookbooks and in some of the newest books, like Fermented Vegetables: Creative Recipes for Fermenting 64 Vegetables & Herbs in Krauts, Kimchis, Brined Pickles, Chutneys, Relishes & Pastes. This one was recommended by my friend Bob Oppenheim when I asked him about pickled celery.
Bob has been having fun fermenting this season. But, I think I'm going to stick to quick pickles. I did find a good, quick pickled celery recipe over at Food52, Spicy Celery Quick Pickle Sticks. And a simple quick pickle at Food.com.
Have you pickled celery? If you join me in experimenting with this new pickle, how will you use it?
What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino