What's better than a fancy dinner, chocolates and candy or lingerie? Yep...there's THAT and then there's also pickles. As you should know by now, I like things HOT (and fried) so let's get down and dirty and talk about some spicy pickles of my past, present and future.
The PAST:
What you are seeing here is the bottom of a jar of Gundelsheim Hot & Spicy Barrel Pickles after I've had my way with them (note the lack of pickle juice). I got hot 'n heavy and devoured the jar in a couple of days. Gundelsheim pickles come in Regular, Garlic and now, Hot & Spicy (thank god). When I lived in MS I used to drive 30 minutes to the next town just to stock up on the Garlic flavored ones. I've spied this brand in Whole Foods stores and in my neighborhood Fairway but I never really bothered with them because they only carried the regular ones and I thought "well, crap, I could get the Garlic ones in MISSISSIPPI and Whole Foods only has the Regular? Nevermind" but just last week in my grocery store I happened to spot the new Hot & Spicy ones! At $4.99 a jar, they have become my new "everyday pickles" especially since I ravaged this whole jar in about 3 days. You have to get these pickles cold before you eat them so they stiffen up and they aren't that spicy but they do have a unique flavor which I don't really know how to describe besides "German"...On the smaller side they can still keep you satisfied and wanting more.
The PRESENT:
My Friend Jenn recently moved south from Brooklyn to New Orleans and after a recent pilgrimage to Avery Island where they bottle Tabasco, she mailed me a jar of the Tabasco Hot 'N Sweet Pickles. I'd never heard of or seen these before so I was really excited to get them in the mail. My mailman left them on the radiator of our building so I decided a few days in the fridge was necessary before trying them.
I took it slow with Mr. McIlhenny's pickles and really go to know them before going all the way with them. They are more SWEET than HOT and I tried to be gentle...in fact they are so sweet I have finally accepted them for what they are, my pickle friend and not my pickle lover. Sometimes you DO just need more sweet than heat and these pickles, I know, will always be there for me...
The FUTURE:
..but most of the time I want it HOT and heat is what I'm after...a fellow Pickle Freak that divides his time between Ohio and NY (hey Matt!) discovered Safies Hot & Zesty Garden Mix. He swears you will gasp, fall back and wipe your brow after every bite. They look amazing and I can't wait to try them...I'm not crazy about the fact that there are other things pickled in there with them, but if it's hot enough, I can be tricked into eating a carrot and some cauliflower (but it better be HOT!)
So if you don't have a guy or girl (or squirrel) to set your heart on fire, do it yourself and wrap your lips around something that's hot, sweet and spicy!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
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9 comments:
While you know I love your pickle passion, my favorite thing about this post is the lamp. Brings back memories of feeling for the light switch in the dark.
Bill, you're welcome to come visit and grope for things in the dark anytime! In fact, it's overdue. Come on up and we'll get your things arranged and situated.
First I saw you over on facebook, where I suggested the "cherry sweet fire" pickles from Jimmy Lowe's fruit stand in Theodore, Alabama. But now I see that you are a spicy pickle expert and furthermore suspect that the pickles would not be spicy enough for you. So now I feel stupid! But they are good pickles.
I found you post while looking for a sweet-hot pickle recipe. I like Sechler's "Sweet Heat", and my store in VA used to carry them but stopped. Wanted to make my own rather than pay shipping. Well, I'll keep looking...
Michael, I HIGHLY recommend you try WICKLES Pickles. They are sweet and spicy and oh so addictive. You'll pay shipping but it's usually just $5 and worth every penny! (get the BIG jar!)
I lived in the usa most of my life and moving to europe from the usa I found the only things I miss are my family & pickles. Pickles here are good but do not taste the same at all. The best ever is van holten hot pickles and dill. I will be making my own to try to create the vinegar and salt & spice flavors I miss so much. Wish me luck and send me links if you know any near close to theirs. grin. sadly to ship pickles here for a carton of 12 is 50.00 from the usa. that is sure not worth it.
leighgirl,
You are doing the right thing by taking matters into your own hands. Making pickles is easy and you will have that nice vinegar taste you miss so much. I love it too. If you need any help, just email me!
Hey thanks for the comment back and incentive to get started. I did already and have made lots of pickles in trying different hot and mild with dill. I have perfected the van holten flavor and even improved it in our opinion out here. I will email you the recipe if you wish just let me know.
I am glad I found you site and wow now it is only the problem of missing my family to solve then all is 100 percent perfect for my ending years in heaven.
Congrats Leigh!
Yes, please send me your favorite recipe and pictures too! I will post them on the blog. My email is picklefreakblog@gmail.com
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