Help please: Making own pickled onions

MikeCunliffe · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:24 pm Post subject:

My wife bought a large jar of Sarsons pickling vinegar and some pickling onions in mid October.
She peeled the onions then put them in jars covering with the vinegar.
We opened one jar today and she's not happy - they don't taste as good as my mum and dad's 20 years ago (no, not 20 year old onions, their 20 year old recipe).

Unfortunately, dad's dead and mum can't recall the exact method and quantities but prior to covering in vinegar their method involved storing first for a period of time in salted water.

Any ideas ? How much salt to water and how long to soak the onions in this brine mixture before washing and transferring to vinegar covered jars.

Thanks guys.

Suzyq · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:53 pm Post subject:

I must admit I have only pickled once before,I soaked them for about 24hrs ..you must cover onions completely with the salt brine,I would think about 1 tablespoon of salt to a pint of water approx.....make sure you rinse well before you place in the jars...............and also when they are soaking in the brine if I were you I would place them covered in a cold garage NOT INDOORS......the smell lingers somewhat..... enjoy .......Suzy

MikeCunliffe · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2005 2:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks Suzy.
Appreciate the tip about the smell. Viv hates the smell of my cheeses but then she hates cheese. As she likes onions I bet the blighter wouldn't complain about the smell.
Mike

medot · Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 8:37 am Post subject:

mike.

i used to pickle my own onions years ago.....but the smell eventually put me off.

i used to add dried whole chillies and whole peppercorns to some of the jars. if you like hot its worth adding them. medot.xx

Chelseagirl · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 2:30 pm Post subject:

Mum and dad used to always make their own pickled onions (the cat hated it ) they done spicy ones too.

The best shop bought one I have tasted are BRANSTON pickled in Branston vinegar, nice and crunchy too.