Pickles: Where do they originate from, and what do they belong on?

Pickles: Where Do They Originate From, and What Do They Belong On?

Many individuals may agree that pickles are tasty snacks. The origin of pickles is quite an interesting story, and the popular food has been eaten for a very, very long time. Take a look at a brief history about pickles, as well as some interesting pickle pairings.

A Brief History About Pickles

According to historical information available at PBS.org, “Pickles have been around for thousands of years, dating as far back as 2030 BC when cucumbers from their native India were pickled in the Tigris Valley.” The process of “pickling” – which involves soaking food in salt, brine and other products to help preserve it for extended periods of time – provided food and meals for all sorts of people, including voyagers, individuals who traveled long distances, as well as entire families.

Because pickles were able to be stored for long periods of time, men and women had access to a source of food to eat even during the dark winter months when vegetation did not grow. This allowed families to sustain themselves by eating the preserved food until new food could be grown in the sunshine and warmer weather of springtime.

It wasn’t until the latter part of the 1800s through the early 1900s that European Jews brought pickles to New York City. Migrants to the area sold the tasty snacks, which became very popular particularly in the Jewish communities of the city. As time went on and the practice of pickling became more common, items such as the “mason jar” (a glass jar developed by tinsmith James Landis Mason) were introduced. These jars stored many of the preserved foods, and mason jars are still available and are used to store pickles today.

Pickles Remain Very Popular

Today pickles are extremely popular and are available almost everywhere that groceries are sold. It’s important to remember that although many people may think of pickles as simply being cucumbers, the process of pickling can apply to numerous fruits and vegetables. Therefore, don’t limit yourself to eating only pickled cucumbers. Determining which fruits and vegetables are your favorites may allow you to explore pickling different kinds of foods, and you may just find your new favorite snack!

What Do Pickles Belong On?

What do pickles typically belong on, and what can they be paired with? There are many options for making some very satisfying meals and snacks that feature pickles, and Bar-S is a perfect resource for pickle lovers. Pickles are a staple in hamburgers, sandwiches, as sides and in charcuterie boards. Interestingly, according to the home and lifestyle website “Kitchn,” there’s a good reason why a pickle has often been served with a sandwich. The site explains that “The acidity of the vinegar works as a palate cleanser. The sharp tang of a dill, sour, or half-sour pickle lets you taste the rest of the flavors more clearly.”

Bar-S provides recipes for creating yummy pickle treats. You may want to consider trying a “Pickle Sub,” which can be made with Bar-S Smoked Deli Ham, Bar-S Smoked Deli Turkey, provolone cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, and lettuce and tomato. The Bar-S Pickle Sub recipe calls for cutting a pickle in half, scooping out the seeds, and using the pickle as the outer layer of the sandwich, which is wrapped with the delicious cheese and meat. The ingredients are placed inside the sandwich and may be a satisfying option for lunch – or anytime!

There are also a multitude of strange pickle-pairing recipes on the internet, and many of them pop up frequently on internet sites such as Facebook, for instance. The recipes range from weird-but-tasty to very strange. For example, you can try peanut butter pickle pancakes, pickle cupcakes, pickle pizza, fried pickles, and even a pickle martini developed by celebrity chef Guy Fieri. The combination of unique flavors is the appealing secret of pairings featuring recipes such as pickle, pretzel and butterscotch cookies.

Pickles also are a renowned craving for pregnant women. There is some science to back up the pickle craving during pregnancy. Pickles are low in calories and fat, and pickles contain some valuable nutrients including vitamin K, which is helpful for blood clotting.

Regardless of what you decide to pair with a pickle – enjoy! Bar-S recipes will ensure that – with every bite – you’re consuming a uniquely interesting and historical treat.