#clamato is just tomato and clam juice

[dove-da-birb]

WHY AM I CRAVING CLAMATO JUICE?

[vamqiredove]

kin/therian/inhuman advice/help suggestions - focused on more animalistic types

please note that this is largely based on our experience and may not help all who have the same cravings/urges/ect.

blood cravings: find clamato juice or something similar. clam tomato juice. not sure if it is sold in the USA. might sound gross but its thick, red, salty, and high in iron. it satiates our cravings very well. alternatively, see if local butchers will sell animal blood. you can claim for it to be for things such as blood pancakes.

raw meat cravings: buy fatty, thinly sliced meat from a deli. once again it is very salty, and it feels good to tear. you can safely eat raw beef; sear the outside to rid bacteria on the outside. slice it off and you can eat the still raw meat inside. you can also do this with fondue beef to just cook the outside of the small cube. never eat raw minced meat; bacteria is all through it already and must be fully cooked.

be careful to not eat too much raw meat; it can be unhealthy for your vessel.

more normal food cravings: for us, this is birdbrain related. indulge these cravings. learn what they are so you can keep these things on hand. we keep seeds and nuts in stock and it's not a bad idea to keep things such as fish frozen in a freezer as a clutch for intense fish cravings. if you have cravings for non-traditional meat for your area [ie game animals such as duck, deer, moose, or mutton if NA / beef if EUR from what i understand ] make an effort to look for stores or butchers who carry it.

phantom limbs/differences-

digitigrade: minimize wearing shoes/socks. if you need to learn how to walk on the balls of your feet in your vessel, get some heels. learn quadrobics. try to make yourself fake legs, look into how furries and satyr cosplayers make theirs.

wings: open-back clothes can feel more comfortable. when laying down on your front, put a slightly warm heating pad across your back to simulate weight. watch your posture. make fake wings to wear.

tails and paws: once again look into how furries make theirs.

Neffertity is a fursuit maker who's posted tutorials on youtube. they have a video on making ears, paws, claws, wings, digitigrade paws, and super motion tails.

clothing tips: if furred, find clothing that resembles the texture of your fur. learning sewing can make it easy to accomidate your ahumanity.

find community. take part in art. if possible, engage in VR responsibly.

[shiverandqueeef]

extremely long and detailed answers below! i may or may not have gone full adhd hyper focus mode on this one 😅

VOTE BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER!!

or read ahead and vote once you know the correct answer i don't control you - you do you bud

there is an american state canadians affectionately refer to as "south canada"

good ol' minnesota! basically, minny and parts of canada (mainly ontario and BC) have such similar climates, flora/fauna, and culture that it's pretty easy to see each other as cross border cousins. it's almost like political borders are social constructs or something. wild. anyways, one factor of the whole two lands pointing at each other and yelling "same hat!" is the not insignificant portion of minnesotans who have canadian ancestry. a shared passion for hockey is another (arguably more significant) factor in canadians' continued fondness for this one very specific region of america.

-> british columbians also really like portland (we find common ground in being unbearably pretentious) but the rest of canada makes fun of us for it.

the base of our national cocktail is vodka, tomato...and clam juice

okay so it's called a caesar and is basically a bloody mary with one major difference. here's a list of ingredients:

and for those not in the know, clamato juice is a combination of tomato and clam.

yeah. istg it's actually a delicious cocktail. though admittedly i may have been indoctrinated at an early age.

we share a land border with our ultimate archenemy: Denmark

The Whiskey Wars! okay so Hans Island is this dinky little uninhabited piece of land literally smaller than 2 clicks long, and both canada and denmark have tried to claim as their own since like, the late 1800s. it was a low key, essentially meaningless land dispute for a decent chunk of the 20th century but then. it's the 80s and a group of canadian soldiers are fucking wrecked on cocaine. they roll up to hans island, plant a canadian flag in the barren ground and place underneath it a bottle of primo canadian whiskey. denmark responds by hauling ass to the flag site and replacing it with their own, drinking the whiskey and leaving a bottle of danish schnapps. thus began 3 decades of international capture the flag, where we basically took turns planting our flags and leaving each other liquor, sometimes with cute little notes trash talking one another. naval ships passing each other in international water and emphatically waving their flags at each other became a time honoured tradition.

in 2022, canada and denmark officially settled the dispute by splitting the island down the middle and each taking half. it was meant as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with ukraine after it was invaded by russia, which. kinda stupid? but also kind of lovely. and now we get to share a land border with our beloved frenemy <3

there is a province in which everybody speaks with an irish sounding accent

girl. please allow me to let me tell you about Newfoundland and Labrador, canada's easternmost province, and an island unto themselves. like they are literally an island but also just so culturally unlike anywhere else in the country. during the colonization of canada, the majority of europeans who settled in the area were from either Ireland or the West Country of england. between the two you have like, 8 distinct dialects, and that's before you add the influence of scottish, french, and algonquian. this linguistic stew bubbled away and over the years has resulted in the newfie accent/dialect. it is delightful. newfies are also just super friendly in general towards visiting mainlanders (but watch out! they will lull you into a false sense of safety with their hospitality and then gleefully drink you under the table. you have never had a hangover like the hangover from a newfie drinking contest. if one challenges you just. say. no.)

they also cook steaks to the point they become utterly indistinguishable from a hockey puck but it's okay, we forgive them.

here's a clip of american comedian Gianmarco Soresi encountering a newfie accent in the wild during a gig in edmonton (the title calls him a 'dumb american' but it's from his own youtube channel)

we had a 90s hair fad called "the beaver" it was like a mullet! but worse :)

NOT TRUE! thank god. although if it was true i'd like to think that it would have by now been appropriated and by some enigmatic lesbian magicks made sexy (as they have so successfully done with the mullet)

we passed a law specifically to ensure "sorry" is not an admission of liability

i know right. apparently because it's so common in canada to use "sorry" not only as an apology, but also as an expression of sympathy, the government instituted "apology laws." they preclude courts, tribunals, and arbitrators from finding that an apology is an admission of liability.

there was this one time we burned the white house down. allegedly. (sorry)

America has actually invaded Canada twice (in 1775 and 1812). they lost pretty much every battle -thanks in large part to the unsung efforts of first nation and indigenous tribes who sided with the british. anyways it was in 1812 that canadians invaded america right back, took control of the capital, and burned a bunch of shit down - including the white house! canadians are very proud of this, despite the fact it was ~technically~ a war between america and britain. "canada" didn't exist as an official country until 1867 but...well. what is historical accuracy in the face of an opportunity to mock america ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

iconic canadian musical comedy trio The Arrogant Worms have a whole song about it. it's a wild oversimplification of events and also a total banger

to this day america's official position is that this very much did not happen.

the majority of canadian kids grow up playing soccer instead of hockey

while hockey is the official winter sport of canada (lacrosse is the official summer sport) and hands down the most watched sport in the country, the majority of canadian families simply can not afford to let their kids play it. with expensive equipment, league fees, and travel expenses (just to name a few), hockey currently costs more than equestrian sports. you can own and care for an actual goddamn horse for less money than it takes to put your kids in hockey. so while most kids grow up playing pond hockey and shinny in the backyard, only a privileged minority ever become involved at a competitive level

our money is plastic, holographic, and semi-transparent (and sometimes pink!)

our money is so pretty you guys!!! it looks like it belongs in a barbie play set. also, every bill has braille on it for the vision-impaired! we are the only country who has this which is. genuinely wtf. it's such an obvious and easy accommodation

just ignore all the faces of various colonizers and imperialists and look at the pretty colours and shiny bits 🙃

and that's all folks! i hope you had fun and maybe learned a little about canada. if you found any of this interesting, i would say "look into more fun and funky fresh canadian history!" but honestly? our history texts are kinda infamously dry and boring. unless you focus on resources from indigenous, first nations, metis and/or inuit voices, and then it gets real interesting real fast. also infuriating. hey did you know canada had chattel slavery for a hot second? anyways this was meant to be about silly things only. here, enjoy this video from a 1994 episode of sketch comedy show Royal Canadian Air Farce ft. legendary Oneida actor Graham Greene

[the-evil-pizza]

lol nobody DRINKS clamato juice straight. It's almost exclusively used to make mixed drinks, similar to a Bloody Mary, and apparently it's mostly popular in Canada.

oh thank fuck it sounded SO cursed. tbh I wouldn't put the combination of clam and tomato in drinks as well but, hey, less cursed than straight up just that I suppose!

[excelsior9173]

boutta say somethin hella stupid and hella canadian:

i used to despise caesars. like, wouldn’t even smell the damn things cuz i thought they were revolting (tried a gin one once- never again. i love gin but dear god that was an abomination)

fast forward to now, and whenever i’m feeling even slightly worn out i find myself craving either a caesar or at the very least some clamato. which kind of makes sense- i always crave tomatoes when i’m feeling worn, and clam is just tomato juice with some spices and clam juice.

i am 100% a convert. fuckin love a good caesar- especially the pickled bean ones omg

[ajoytobeheld]

Bit of an update...

October 4th, 2007

Hello there! How often should we actually be writing this blog thing? I have a feeling we’ve been a bit rubbish. Sorry. I guess we’re not interesting enough to write too often and frequently get distracted by shiny things. The main news in campesinos! camp is that (as of yesterday) we’re all back in the UK. What’s up with it being so cold, eh? This return means we’ve finished recording and mixing the album so early next year it will be fresh for your little ears.

Ellen: We also got to mix the album in a very interesting area of Toronto which was a hang out for drivers with a penchant for loud bass heavy music. Each evening they would crank up the volume and stand stationary around their cars just kinda looking at each other, it seemed fun and often I wanted to join in. This was balanced out by charity workers who would do team building exercises each morning which involved group singing, clapping and generally dancing around like idiots. One of them enquired as to whether Aleks and myself wanted a job. It was tempting. The hotel we stayed in was also rather odd, one morning we woke to hear a mexican band practicing in the room next door and were then greeted by a man stroking his pet chameleon in the lift (not a euphanism.) Apparently lots of mafia/gangster get-togethers were held there, under the guise of baby showers and weddings. Despite this strangeness we’re missing canada muchly but there is also something quite nice about being reunited with home comforts like daytime australian soaps, the sunday times, chavs and good old british sarcasm. On the flight back, Ellen and myself had our excess baggage fee waved because the guy found out I was at medical school (on hiatus) so if you’re ever in the situation, I suggest subtly slipping in dissection room banter or something. The flight was exciting as ever, with a tear being shed over our last chance to indulge in canada’s staple drink of clamato juice, ie a touch of clam juice mingled with tomato juice. i know - crazy…Ellen dropped a muffin on the floor (Ellen is upset about this still). Then the flight attendants moved Harriets violin without telling her. so yeah, we know how to have fun.Ellen: I however had a nasty shock when returning home to Cardiff, in my absence my flatmates had turned my room into some sort of brothel for their visiting friends drunken encounters. I have decided to get a big lock, lazer system and bear traps put in place for our next trip away.

We start our UK tour on Saturday, so we’ll get to see lots of places none of us have been to like Colchester whilst indulging in lots of Alan Partridge/Curb Your Enthusiasm DVD time on the van, Marks and Sparks food and unbeatable Travel Lodges for accomodation. We’ve never been on tour for that long before so the blogs might get progressively more angry/ bitchy/ whiny. We’re playing with some awesome bands, and they’re definitely worth seeing even if we’re not. Oh and we have some exciting new t-shirts and pants we’ll be selling. Hopefully we’ll see some of you at the shows, come say hi - we like people. Ellen: Also I have a new tattoo so come just to see that if you like, you can prod it if you want.lots of love Aleks and Ellen and all of LC!

PS – We wrote this blog one week ago and then just kinda didn’t get round to publishing it. Coz we’re silly. Since then we’ve been to and come back from Ireland, where we put ourselves to shame by not drinking very much Guinness and sounding more Somerset than Irish when we tried to do the accent. We also discovered that none of us can play pool very well. And Gareth got told off by the receptionist at the Holiday Inn because we were indulging in the legendary chant ‘Need a Wee’ when we got back after the Belfast gig. Gutted. That’s probably the craziest its gonna get on tour – so yeah good times…

[winningblog]

Delicious Shrimp Ceviche Recipe

Ceviche is manufactured a number of methods and based on what latin region the recipe originated from it will have many variants of your authentic recipe. This variance which i am expressing is the most popular simply because of its straightforwardness and readily accessible substances. Keep in mind that you can easily change this to some crab or seafood ceviche with the help of your very own unique touch of substances. I actually have made ceviche with crab, tilapia, abalone, oysters, clams and scallops....you are unable to go wrong!

Ingredients:

2 Lbs. Raw Cleaned Peeled Shrimp

3 Juiced Lemons

1 Tsp. Garlic clove Natural powder

1 Red Onion Diced

1 Handful of Fresh Cilantro Chopped

2 Cucumbers Peeled Diced

2 Ripe Avacados

2 Huge Tomatoes

1 32oz. Jar of Clamato Picante

Sodium And Pepper to Taste

Tapatio to Preference

El Perico Tostada Shells or Saltine Crackers

Directions:

Put the fruit juice of lemons, diced cucumber, and salt and garlic powder and blend right up until effectively integrated. Include your cleansed shrimp towards the marinade and mix with each other to cover the shrimp click here. Refrigerate for 25-30 minutes, the lemon or lime liquid will "prepare" and treat the seafood. In case you are apprehensive with this procedure you can even boil your shrimp until finally just pink and enhance the marinade for five-10 mins.

After marinating your shrimp you can include your reddish onion, cilantro and tomatoes. Chuck all ingredients together then include your Clamato Picante. Add more just enough to pay for all of your current ceviche. It is actually your decision whether or not you would like it succulent or drier. Leading with diced avocado and Tapatio chili to taste.

[emilyandelissaswift]

@slowmotiondoublevision @it-feels-like-a-perfect-night @notesonartistry this is the Clamato juice that goes in Caesar’s . So it’s specifically made for the drink. Much more appealing than just clam and tomatoes juice lol

[crtter]

yeah clam juice is real. in Canada we make Caesar cocktails using Clamato (clam + tomato) juice. I’ve never had one but apparently it’s pretty popular

Woag

Sounds weird to me because I’ve never drunk anything salty that wasn’t like, soup, but then again I’ve never had clams so maybe it’s delicious and I just don’t know it!

Anyway, my only contact with the concept of clams in a beverage until now was this:

[mkgtravel]

Interesting National Symbols From Around the World

National symbols play an important role in a country’s global identity. Not only do they represent the ideals, tastes, or history of a nation, but they also create a sense of community for the population. Around the world, different emblems like animals, foods, drinks, dances, flowers, and trees are chosen as national symbols in an attempt to define the country as a whole.

Sometimes these symbols are decided upon by the sovereign state as a way to create a cultural sense of unity. Other times, a country’s symbol is chosen by default, and while it may not bear official status, it represents the nation nonetheless. Either way, the result is a wide variety of national emblems that range from surprising to mystical.

Unicorn (Scotland)

Visit Scotland and it’s likely you’ll notice an abundance of unicorns displayed throughout the country. This is because the mythical creature is Scotland's national animal. You can find unicorns depicted on castles, fountains, cathedrals, coins, and even tombs. According to Scottish legend, the unicorn is both pure and powerful, and almost impossible to tame. King William I chose the unicorn for the royal coat of arms in the 12th century, as did King James VI of Scotland in 1603, and it has been a national symbol ever since.

Tikka Masala (England)

A plate of fish and chips likely comes to mind when you think of traditional English fare, but the country’s favorite dish has roots on another continent. Tikka masala, a flavorful curry that most often features chicken, is equally beloved across the country. Purported to be “a true British national dish,” tikka masala was introduced to the nation by British citizens of Indian descent. The dish is a popular take-out item and considered to be the ultimate British comfort food.

Gumboot (South Africa)

All you need to perform South Africa’s gumboot dance is a sense of rhythm and a pair of Wellington boots. The national dance began as a form of communication between Black miners during apartheid — all of whom wore tall rubber boots in flooded working conditions. Verbal communication between workers was restricted, which prompted the miners to “speak” to each other by slapping and stomping their boots. These movements eventually transformed into the gumboot dance, which now serves as a visual representation of the nation’s oppressive history as well as its work towards reconciliation.

Oak Tree (United States)

The majestic bald eagle is widely known as a symbol of the U.S., but there is another national emblem that is just as stately — the oak tree. The mighty oak was voted the national tree of the U.S. by the Arbor Day Foundation in 2004. Selected over 21 other North American species such as maple, redwood, and pine, the oak was chosen because of the strength it represents, as well as its ability to grow from a tiny acorn into a powerful tree.

  Kumis (Mongolia)

Kumis, the national drink of Mongolia, is a fermented beverage enjoyed by many throughout the nation. Although the drink is traditionally brewed with the milk of a mare, kumis can also be made from cow’s milk. Known for its slightly acidic flavor, the dairy beverage becomes carbonated during the fermentation process. It also has a relatively low alcohol content, which can range from one to three percent, and is most often served chilled.

  Quadrille (Jamaica)

Originally a formal dance performed in court, the quadrille was first brought to Jamaica by Europeans. Over time, enslaved people adopted the quadrille for themselves, morphing the traditional dance into three new varieties: the contra, the ballroom, and the camp style. Of all three, the camp style is the most lively interpretation. This Afro-Jamaican version of the formal quadrille still employs partner dancing, but requires more rhythmic hip swings and footwork.

 Dodo Bird (Mauritius)

The dodo bird has been extinct for centuries, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be celebrated. Native to the island nation of Mauritius, this large bird vanished from Earth in the 17th century. Since it couldn’t fly and had little fear of humans, the pigeon-like creature was easily caught by Dutch sailors for dinner — a repeated event that eventually led to its demise. As the national symbol of Mauritius, the dodo bird is still celebrated in spirit, and its image is found in shops throughout the country.

 Palm Wine (Malaysia)

Palm wine, also called toddy, has long been a traditional drink of Malaysia, with roots dating back to 1886. Named for the tree from which it is procured, palm wine is extracted from the unopened flower of a budding palm fruit. After it’s tapped, the liquid sits for 48 hours so that it naturally ferments and becomes alcoholic. It can be consumed chilled or at room temperature and is often mixed with stout beer, fresh chilies, or onions.

 Guinea Pig (Peru)

Although the cute, furry creature is beloved as a pet elsewhere around the world, the guinea pig is actually considered to be a delicacy in Peru called cuy — and is most often found on a dinner plate. Served since Incan times, roasted guinea pig is a popular dish enjoyed throughout this South American country.

 Caesar Cocktail (Canada)

You won’t find a Bloody Mary on a menu in Canada. Instead, you’ll find a very similar substitute — the Caesar. Similar to a Bloody Mary, a Caesar cocktail contains vodka, tomato juice, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. However, the addition of clamato juice, which is made from clams, is the secret ingredient that transforms it into the national drink of Canada. The drink is beloved by many and said to be a hangover cure. Canada even celebrates National Caesar Day annually in May.

Century Egg (China)

Although the process doesn’t take 100 years as the name implies, making century eggs is certainly time consuming. This Chinese egg dish has been around for centuries, ever since a farmer found a naturally preserved duck egg in the mud and decided to try it as a snack. Today, century eggs are soaked in a solution of clay, salt, and ash for weeks. The result is the national dish, a blackened egg with a jelly yolk that is eaten by itself or with the addition of pickled ginger.

 Palo de Mayo (Nicaragua)

Palo de Mayo is a vibrant, colorful tribute to the African goddess of fertility. The Afro-Caribbean dance is most often performed at the Palo de Mayo Festival, a four-week event that takes place in Bluefields, Nicaragua, throughout May. The high-tempo dance is often performed in brightly colored costumes to celebrate the vibrancy of the Caribbean culture, while also welcoming spring and the possibility of new life

  Spiral Aloe (Lesotho)

A tiny country located within the borders of South Africa, Lesotho is home to the Maluti Mountains, the only place in the world where spiral aloe grows. This rare plant thrives in thin, rocky soil and blooms pink and red flowers during spring and summer. Named for its mesmerizing spiral shape, this variety of aloe is endangered and therefore illegal to harvest, but beautiful to behold.

 Gallic Rooster (France)

National symbols play an important role in a country’s global identity. Not only do they represent the ideals, tastes, or history of a nation, but they also create a sense of community for the population. Around the world, different emblems like animals, foods, drinks, dances, flowers, and trees are chosen as national symbols in an attempt to define the country as a whole.

Sometimes these symbols are decided upon by the sovereign state as a way to create a cultural sense of unity. Other times, a country’s symbol is chosen by default, and while it may not bear official status, it represents the nation nonetheless. Either way, the result is a wide variety of national emblems that range from surprising to mystical.

[rabbitofnegativeeuphoria]

I’ve just discovered there is such a thing as clamato juice which is a tomato/clam hybrid. Why?

[ghostlyhamburger]

Y'all fucks: hmmmm I really wanted Coke and they only have diet Coke so I'm just going to order straight up clamato juice. Yeah I'm allergic to clams and tomatoes but ew, diet Coke

[bakenerdyforme-blog]

This, my friends, is the “I’d Have a Caesar” cupcake. 

When we watched Letterkenny the first time through, we looked at each other and asked a very important question: 

“What the hell is a Caesar?” 

And the answer, we found, is that a “Caesar” is, of course, an alcoholic drink: essentially, it is a Bloody Mary made with clamato juice instead of just straight up tomato juice.

And the question became: how do you turn that into a cupcake? 

For anybody else, the short answer would have been “You don’t. That sounds gross.” 

But while @dettiot​ was super excited for the Super Soft Birthday Party cupcake, @wonderlandleighleigh​ was most excited for this one (she’s really into the weird stuff!). 

We adapted this recipe by splitting the amount of crushed tomatoes we used with clamato juice.

Be aware that you may have to add a little more flour to your batter to make sure it’s not too too runny, but ours didn’t need that, so you never know! Just keep an eye out. We also used fresh basil from our garden, but any ol’ basil will work.

Clamato is an odd flavor. If you’re not familiar, it is literally tomato and clam juice mixed together. Some people probably make their own (clam broth, tomato juice), but uh...while we like adventure, this is not one we were prepped for.

Enter Clamato juice! It comes in a jolly little bottle that looks like this: 

And it tastes pretty funky if you’re not prepped for it.

Or even if you are prepped for it.

Its availability probably depends on how popular seafood is in your area (we live in Baltimore. If you don’t like crab here, the local government will politely ask you to leave before the locals find out).

Likewise, living in Maryland, the perfect spice presented itself to put in the frosting. The perfect balance for a clamato cake: 

 Love, it, hate it, however you feel about Old Bay, it exists, and it’s a Maryland favorite.

For the frosting: 

8 oz of cream cheese, 1 stick of butter, 3+ cups of powdered sugar, and however much Old Bay you want. To really get the flavor, you’ll need at least a tablespoon and a half, we think. But uh... @wonderlandleighleigh​ is a Maryland girl through and through, so you may want to take that into consideration if you try it.

The end result is...surprisingly good! Savory to be sure, but pleasant enough. We had a few taste testers who were pretty impressed with it overall, so we’ll call this one a win!

[foxnonny]

about to make the greatest damn savoury cocktail of all time - hot sauce (I use sriracha) to taste - Worcestershire sauce (a few dashes) - lemon juice (to taste) (literally it's all to taste) - celery salt (line the rim and dump a pinch in for good measure) - vodka or gin (optional because virgin is just as good) (I recommend gin over vodka but vodka is the classic) - fill the rest of the glass with ice (optional) and tomato juice with clam broth (not optional) (clamato is the ideal but if you don't have it you can make your own but be warned there MUST be clam or it isn't a Caesar!!) enjoy Canada's national cocktail!! IT'S BETTER THAN IT SOUNDS (I mean some people put horseradish in it which...I don't recommend) (for all my American followers but especially @stitchcasual who I know is *raring* to try this bit of Canadiana pride

[lucascsinclairs]

Weird things I’ve noticed in Canada

ok so first: takeout pizza that has been presliced for you? GENIUS

those heating vent thingies on the floor? so creepy. what if you get your toe stuck in it? or you drop something there? don’t trust them

saw tide pods at the super market today; had to reason myself into not buying them

what do you guys have against privacy in public washrooms? there are huge gaps between and under the doors

also the bathroom stall doors and doors in general open inward not outward; so frustrating

the movie theater seats that recline; so comfy and great

also caramel popcorn, so good

still haven’t seen any one of those huge sewer drainage holes where clowns lurk to snatch up little kids but I’ll keep looking

why is your cheese so orange?? that’s not what cheddar is supposed to look like

i don’t know if this is only a canadian thing, but clamato cocktails?? who in their right mind would want a drink with spiced tomato and clam juice??

speaking of canadian things, the mere existence of bagged milk utterly confuses me but at this point i’ve accepted it and just think it’s adorable

also ketchup chips?? why

and to end this on a positive note; timbits are a gift from above, i love them. so much.

here you go @strange-thangs and @j-keery !

[sweetseda]

How to Make Pickles + 14 Garden-Fresh Pickle Recipes to Try

If you have never tried homemade pickles before, you are missing out! Pickling is one of the best ways to preserve a prolific veggie harvest and ensure the bounty of your garden can be enjoyed for months to come. In this post, I’ll walk you through the basics of pickling as well as the veggies and fruits (yes, fruit!) that can be preserved and enjoyed. Plus, I’ll share 14 pickle recipes to try. Keep reading to learn why pickling may just be the best thing that has happened to your garden!

Pickles. You either love them or hate them, right? For many people, their only experience with a pickle is the soggy, overly-salted disc that comes slathered in ketchup on a hamburger patty. However, there’s a whole world of incredible, crispy, flavourful pickles out there waiting, made from almost any vegetable imaginable.

As more and more of us are finding the draw to go back to basics in our lives, learning how to make pickles has become more and more popular. Not only is it a fairly easy activity with delicious results, but this is an excellent way to ensure your garden bounty can be enjoyed all year long.

What is Pickling?

First, let’s talk about what pickling is. Pickling is the process of safely preserving food by using either pickle brine or through fermentation. I’ll go into more detail about both methods below, but for now just now that either way will greatly extend the shelf-life of perishable foods.

Pickling isn’t a new thing either. In fact, there’s evidence of people learning how to make pickles as far back as 2030 BC! While some techniques may have been refined over the past 4,000 years, the basic process has stayed the same.

Which Foods Can You Pickle?

We all know that cucumbers can be pickled, of course, but there’s so much more. There’s an entire world out there of flavourful vegetables and fruits that have been preserved. Practically anything that you grow in your garden can be used to either become a pickle or as part of the flavour in the brine itself.

Fruits That Can be Pickled

Let’s start with the fruits. Many people are shocked to know that you can pickle fruit just as easily as a vegetable, but it’s true. Personally, I love the sweet-sour-salty combination that pickled fruit produces. Here are some of the most common fruits you can pickle:

As you can see, the list is quite extensive, even though it is not exhaustive.

Vegetables You Can Pickle

Likewise, although more people are familiar with pickled vegetables, they often only think of cucumbers. There are so many other colourful veggies that make excellent pickles, such as:

Other Foods You Can Pickle

It’s not just fruits and veggies that can be pickled. You can also pickle protein such as brisket (turning it to corned beef thanks to a salt brine) or even hardboiled eggs.

Pickle Brine vs. Fermentation

As I mentioned above, there are a few methods you can use when learning how to make pickles. While I have some fantastic recipes linked below that will walk you through how to make pickles step by step, I wanted to give you a quick overview of each method.

Pickles with Vinegar Brine – Water Bath Canning

When we think of pickles, we often think of the cucumber in a jar of vinegar-based solution. The proper name for this is vinegar brine. Pickle brine is made of a combination of vinegar, water, and salt. There are often other spices and seasonings added too, such as dill or peppers for example.

Once the food is emersed in pickling vinegar, it must be sealed properly for the food to stay fresh. This is done by the canning method of a water bath, similar to how you would traditionally can jams.

Quick Pickles or Refrigerator Pickles

This is the easiest and fastest way to pickle, thus the name. Using the same vinegar brine method as you would with water bath canning, you will prepare a sweet or salty vinegar brine and cover the veggies or fruit. Then, instead of canning them, they simply get stored in the fridge and eaten up quickly.

Fermentation

Fermentation is another way to preserve vegetables and create pickles. This can be done with almost any veggie successfully. Fermentation preserves food while also increasing the good-for-you bacteria. Well-known fermented foods include kimchi and sauerkraut.

To successfully ferment foods, you need to choose one of three starter methods:

Then, add the food to the starter along with distilled water into a fermentation crock. Make sure the vegetables are weighed down underneath the brine, then place the crock in a cold storage environment.

14 Pickling Recipes to Try

Now that you know a bit of history about pickles and a quick overview of each method, let’s dig into some recipes! Each of these fantastic posts will show you how to make pickles step by step.

The Best Ever Deli-Style Pickles

I have tried a LOT of pickle recipes in my day. When it comes to deli-style pickles, this recipe is my favourite, hands down. These pickles turn out crunchy and perfectly seasoned every time I make them!

Get the recipe for deli-style pickles.

Sweet Pickled Figs

This recipe for pickled figs had my mouth watering. Rather than your typical savory, sour pickle, these pickled figs are more like candy with notes of cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and all-spice. Spoon this over yogurt for a delicious treat!

Get the recipe for these pickled figs at Nitty Gritty Life.

Super Simple Quick Pickled Radishes

If you long for instant gratification in pickling, this recipe is as good as it gets. These delicious pickled radishes can be eaten the very next day! If you have never been a radish fan, I encourage you to give these a try. They just may change your mind.

Get the recipe for quick pickled radishes.

Fermented Pickles with Squash and Cucumber

Have prolific squash in your veggie garden? Give this pickled squash recipe a try. The fermented squash is reminiscent of your classic dill pickle with a little bit more sweetness to it.

Get the recipe for fermented squash pickles at Attainable Sustainable.

Lacto-Fermented Dilly Beans

If you have an excess of green beans in your garden, I encourage you to give this recipe a try. These pickled green beans are fermented in vinegar so you have those awesome probiotics packed into one crispy green bean.

Get the recipe for fermented dilly beans at Grow Forage Cook Ferment.

Golden Beets with Ginger and Star Anaise

The brine in these golden beets is slightly sweet with a bit of spice, which balances out the earthy beet flavour perfectly. These pickled beets make a great alternative to the typical beet and also happens to be one of my favourite salad toppings.

Get the recipe for pickled golden beets.

Easiest Fermented Pickled Vegetables Ever

Here’s another beginner-friendly recipe to try out when you are learning how to make pickles for the first time. With just a few minutes of preparation, you can have veggies in brine fermenting. The best part? You can enjoy eating them just five short days later!

Watermelon Rind Pickles

If you haven’t tried watermelon rind pickles before, you are missing out. I love that I can enjoy eating the meat of a watermelon and then use the rinds for pickling, rather than throwing it into my compost pile. Here’s a quick video showing you how to make this tasty treat.

Pickled Ginger

Pickled ginger is a lovely addition to sushi, of course, but it works with so many other meals. This bright and flavorful pickle is excellent chopped in salads, stir-fries, and just eaten as is.

Learn how to make pickled ginger from The Kitchn.

Garlic Honey Fermented Cloves

Garlic is one of the most popular ingredients for a home cook to keep stocked. While garlic and honey fermented together may sound like an odd combination, they truly work in tandem in this fermented recipe.

Grab the two-ingredient recipe for the fermented cloves at Nitty Gritty Life.

Sliced Pickled Jalapenos

Are you one of the lucky gardeners that have pots full of jalapenos ripe for the picking? If so, you’ve got to give these pickled jalapeno slices a try! Add them to nachos, layer them in sandwiches, or just enjoy eating them on their own.

Tarragon Pickled Beets

Pickled beets are both flavourful and colourful. This recipe seems to become even more delicious in time, so I recommend making a large batch and then letting them sit at the back of your pantry a bit.

Get the recipe for tarragon pickled beets.

How to Make Pickles with Asparagus

I used to get pickled asparagus at a favorite local restaurant when I ordered a Caesar (a Canadian savory cocktail similar to a Bloody Mary made with Clamato (clam + tomato) juice). The drink was nice but my favourite part of the entire thing was the pickled asparagus. Of course, I haven’t been able to visit the restaurant in several months, but thankfully this recipe lets me make my own at home to enjoy.

Get the details on how to pickle asparagus at The Elliott Homestead.

Spicy Pickled Carrots

I LOVE pickled carrots! I think I may enjoy them more than the classic cucumber pickle. My friend Crystal gave me a jar of these and they were truly delicious. I enjoy these layered on sandwiches and chopped into salads.

Get the recipe for spicy pickled carrots at Hello Creative Family.

How to Make Pickles: Final Thoughts

There are so many incredible ways to experiment and enjoy pickled produce. You’ll be amazed at how pickling will change the flavour of familiar vegetables in the best way. I hope this post gives you the inspiration to give it a try if you haven’t before.

More Recipes About Preserving Food

This content was originally published here.