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Piccalilli

Crunchy mustard and turmeric vegetable pickle

Piccalilli is the bright yellow pickle of the English ploughman's lunch, the Boxing Day cold cuts and the cheese board, and it has been made in farmhouse kitchens since the 18th century, when Indian pickles inspired it. Crunchy cauliflower, beans and onions are salted, then folded into a sweet, sharp sauce of mustard, turmeric and vinegar. Chef's tip: salt the vegetables overnight; it draws out water and keeps them crunchy for months.
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
medium
Serves
20
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Ingredients

Serves20

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Fresh ingredients (5)

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Method

0/6 done
  1. Step 1: Toss the 1 ⅛ lb cauliflower, 7 oz green beans, 7 oz small shallots and 1 cucumber with the 1 ¾ oz salt in a big bowl. Cover and leave overnight in a cool place.

    720 min
  2. Step 2: Rinse well under cold water, taste a piece to check it isn't too salty, and drain thoroughly.

    5 min
  3. Step 3: Mix the 3 tbsp cornflour, 2 tbsp English mustard powder, 1 tbsp ground turmeric and 1 tsp ground coriander with 6 tablespoons of the 2 ½ cups cider vinegar to a smooth paste.

    2 min
  4. Step 4: Bring the rest of the vinegar, 5 ½ oz sugar and 1 tbsp yellow mustard seeds to the boil, whisk in the paste and simmer for 3 minutes until thick and glossy.

    5 min
  5. Step 5: Add the vegetables and simmer for 2–3 minutes; they must stay crunchy. A common mistake is cooking them soft, which ruins the texture.

    3 min
  6. Step 6: Pack into hot sterilised jars, seal and keep in a cool dark place for 4 weeks before opening. Refrigerate once opened.

    10 min

Nutrition per serving

Calories
40 kcal
Protein
1 g
Carbs
8 g
Fat
0 g
Fibre
1 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does piccalilli take?
About 45 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
20 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
What can I use instead of cauliflower?
Broccoli, same weight.
What can I use instead of small shallots?
Half an onion per 2 shallots.

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