English Pub-Style Pickled Onions

After searching for years I found this recipe in “The Joy of Pickling”. I make it 2-3 times a year for a good friend who misses them from back home in England. This pickle is made the traditional way, with a short brining to keep the onions crisp, and with cool rather than hot vinegar. It is stored in the refrigerator.

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: makes 1 quart

Prep Time: about 30 minutes total   Cook Time: minutes (but lots of sitting and brining time)  

Ingredients

1/2 cup pickling salt
2 quarts water
1 1/2 lbs. very small onions or shallots
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cups malt vinegar
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1/4 teaspoon whole allspice
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
1 bay leaf, crumbled

Directions

1. In a bowl, dissolve 1/4 cup salt in 1 quart water. Add the onions. Weight them gently with a plate that fits inside the bowl. Let them stand 8 to 12 hours.
2. Drain the onions, and peel them. Return them to the bowl. Make a brine with the remaining salt and water, pour it over the onions, and weight them gently again. Let them stand 2 days.
3. In a nonreactive saucepan, bring the sugar and vinegar to a boil. Let the liquid cool.
4. Drain and rinse the onions, and drain them well again. In a 1-quart jar, layer the onions, peppercorns, allspice, pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Cover them with the cooled, sweetened vinegar. Cover the jar with a nonreactive cap, preferably all plastic.
5. Refrigerate the jar for at least 1 month before eating the onions. They will keep for at least 6 months.

Categories: Appetizers & Snacks, Pickling

Submitted by: bunnyruth on May 24, 2011