Really people, it doesn’t get much simpler than this. Shallots, vinegar, water, honey. A couple of herbs, you know, just ’cause we can. (Ha! Get it? We can! Ah, I slay me.) Pack it all in a jar, process for 10 minutes, and hey! presto! you’re a canner. Cross that off your life list.
The devoted Local Kitchen reader (all 7 of you) may furrow your gentle brow, wondering why I would pickle shallots, knowing that I loathe all things pickle. Well, first off there is the March Can Jam assignment of alliums: onions, leeks, shallots, scallions, chives, ramps and garlic, to name a few. I’ve been perusing recipes and, as another low-acid food group, pickling is a natural choice for alliums. And, I’ve been thinking about my pickle loathing: maybe it’s just the standard pickling spice combination that I dislike, not the pickling process itself. After all, I love vinegar. And nachos aren’t nachos without pickled jalapenos. So, maybe I’m expanding my horizons. Or maybe I’m really lazy and this was the easiest allium-canning recipe I could find. Take your pick.
Since this was so easy, and since I was so lazy that I didn’t even bother to process it (I just stuck the pint jar in the fridge – it’s 57 degrees! Too nice out today to fire up the canner.), I’m posting this early as a Prelude to A Jam. Enjoy.
Adapted from Pink Pickled Shallots in The Glass Pantry by Georgeanne Brennan
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Pink Pickled Shallots
INGREDIENTS
- about 12 oz (3/4 lb or 2 cups lightly packed) shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup red wine vinegar (5% acidity or greater)
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp pickling salt (or Kosher salt, which may result in a cloudy brine but is safe to use)
- 3 or 4 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1 tsp dried
- 1 bay leaf
METHODS
- If canning, prepare canner, jars and lids.
- Bring the vinegar, water, honey, salt and herbs to a boil over high heat. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes, to infuse herb flavor into the brine.
- Pack sliced shallots into a clean, sterilized pint jar, shaking the jar between additions in order to minimize air space, until a generous 1/2-inch headspace remains.
- Raise heat on the brine and bring back to a lively boil. Cover shallots in the jar with hot brine to 1/2-inch headspace. Remove any air bubbles with the handle of a wooden spoon; wipe lid, affix rim and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Alternatively, store without processing in the refrigerator.
Yields 1 pint.
OPTIONS
- Each 3/4 lb of shallots produces about 1 pint. Adjust the recipe accordingly to preserve more or less.
- The original recipe called for 1/4 cup of sugar in place of the honey. It is safe to eliminate the sugar/honey entirely if you wish.
- If you like, you may strain the herbs out of the brine prior to adding to the jar; there is sufficient vinegar in the recipe to make it safe to include them, and they will continue to infuse the brine with flavor, but may darken over time. Your choice.
STORE
Canned, in a cool, dark spot for up to 1 year. Refrigerated: the recipe says to use within 3 weeks; I’ve had this same jar in my fridge for a year now. The last few lingering pickles are very pickly, but they are still viable. The brine has definitely darkened (I did not strain out the herbs) and once I use up those last few pickles, I will most likely toss it.
SEASON
Shallots are generally available year round, as they can be planted in Fall, over-wintered, and harvested in late Spring, or planted in early Spring and harvested in Summer – Fall. Like onions, they are a great storage crop and can be stored for 6 – 9 months after harvesting.
localkitchenblog.com 
I used to not like pickles either but since I’ve put up some of my own I find them much better! I don’t know, something about how just downright acidic those storebought pickles are… either way I’m working on being a pickle convert. In one of my canning books they have a recipe for an indian style pickle using coriander and cumin and things for spices, which sounds intriguing.
Ha, I’m going to make vinegared red onions for this month’s challenge – I’ve had it with marmalades LOL.
I saw that recipe in the Ball book – but for some reason they make you cook the onions first? Sounds limp-inducing to me.
I’m thinking of a onion confit/jam type of thing.. or maybe a garlicky mustard. Or both. I do love me some alliums!
Those look fabulous! I’m still trying to figure out what to make for the Can Jam this month.
What a pretty jar of shallots! I’m actually overwhelmed with ideas for this month. Starting tomorrow!
i love these shallots. and yes, they do last for weeks and weeks in the fridge i’ve found. the photos are lovely!
kaela, look into my eyes….come on over to the pickle-lovin’ side…
actually, my march entry is tucked away already in it’s jars, and i love surprises so i won’t go into detail but, there is a canned condiment i haven’t been too fond of thus far, and i went for it and i am now converted.
more later…
now eat dem picklz girl! 🙂
I haven’t tried them yet; I’m going to let them mature. Ripen. Evolve. (anything but ‘pickle’!) 🙂
Honestly, they are simply vinegar and shallots.. bascially half of my favorite vinaigrette. What’s not to love?
I’ll keep y’all posted….
And I do have other things up my sleeve for the Can Jam; this one was just too easy to pass up, especially considering I snagged a TON of alliums at the market on Saturday.
Beautiful looking pickle and great photos
I’m going to try these. They look so good and I love pickled onions in a salad with goat cheese.
Looks good however you might want to repost this next week. it’s too early to post for this month’s can jam to get included in the round up. The earliest you can post is Friday Mar. 12!
MK – thanks, I know it is early. I’m planning on another recipe for the ‘official’ Jam; just thought this one was too good, and easy, to pass up. Hence, the “prelude” to a jam. 🙂
Loving the looks of those pink pickled shallots and the, ummm, jar. So cute.
I’m thinking that pickle love, really, is all about the exploration of flavors. I discovered that I much prefer tarragon to many things dill. There’s even a dill weed vs. seed debate going on in my head. It’s kinda fascinating.
Can’t wait for the taste update.
gorgeous! you’ve inspired me to open my books and figure out what the hell I’m going to do for next week’s post.
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