Monday, August 07, 2006

at long last....


I promised Molly over at Orangette that I would make these weeks ago. Many, many people turn their noses up at the thought of pickled green beans, but I think they're wonderful - fresh, crunchy, summery, vinegar-y, and the perfect garnish for a homemade bloody mary.

First of all, you have to have the old fashioned Mason jars. They just don't look right in anything else. I used a big one today because that's all I had unused, but I prefer the smaller size so you can stand the beans upright before they start curling. Regardless, you have to trim your beans so they fit exactly in the jar, just to the bottom of the threaded part. I know some people prefer to flash boil the beans first, but I like mine super-crunchy, so I start with them raw. Pack trimmed beans in the jar tightly with a few crescents of white onion, 10-12 fresh dill sprigs, a couple of garlic cloves (either sliced or minced, depending on your visual preference,) and some very coarsely ground black pepper.

On the stove, heat regular white vinegar (about 5-6% acidity) to a rolling boil. Pour boiling vinegar over beans to top and cap immediately. You'll have to use a towel or oven mitt to tighten the lid, but the heat should seal the ring. It will pop back open when you re-open the jar for the first time.

Let cool on the counter, then transfer to refrigerator for a couple of days for maximum flavor. Serve on their own or as a garnish. Enjoy!!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Finally! Jamie, I have been lurking around your blog every day just waiting for you to post this recipe. I love pickled green beans. Plus, vinegar and dill - two of my favorite flavors, and pickles in general - one of my favorite foods. I can't wait to get back from my trip to Montréal to try these.

Maybe I better finish off those Tomolives first...

hello jamie: said...

Lurk away!! I've been lazy, but I do have a soup recipe to post as well.

Hope you like the beans.

s'kat said...

Yum, yum, yum! I luuurve me some pickled green beans!

krysten said...

damn! i just threw away some beans that had gone bad!!! ACK! *palms forehead*

love pickled beans...that was what got me into bloody marys in the first place, haha! oh, who am i kidding...

"are you already done with yours?"

"girl, i'm already done and have BLOGGED about it!"

*snort*

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much!! I've been waiting for this post. We're going to the beach next week and I'm going to take them with me.

Gina said...

I still have jars from last year's crop! (though I still have eggnog from Christmas too...)

Molly said...

Thank you, Jamie! When I came home from work yesterday and told Brandon that you'd put up this post, he raced for the computer. Needless to say, green beans are on our grocery list for this weekend...!

iamchanelle said...

look at you, inspiring the masses! :0) i am surprised i have never tried anything like these before, with how much i LOVE vinegar-ey stuff. your pic is so yummy i have to go make my own now!