| Prep: 25 mins | Cook: 20 mins – 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 300 | 0.2g | 0g | 75g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 60g | 5g | 1g | 2g |
Tucked away in my collection, there’s a recipe that never fails to stir up a sense of nostalgia within me — the Piquant Pickles with Rue. Steeped in southern tradition, these aren’t your ordinary pickles. Fresh from the orchards of the Carolinas and given a tantalizing twist with a hint of hot pepper and aromatic rue herb, our Piquant Pickles with Rue capture the heart of southern canning traditions.
The Southern Charm and the Health Kick
Just like the rest of my Southern cuisine repertoire, this particular recipe marries taste and nostalgia beautifully, a trait that has kept it close to my heart for all these years. Bursting with exotic fruits like pineapple and mango and the more familiar apples, each pickle is a delightful bite that’s both tart and sweet. It’s similar to the fruit compotes you’ll find in other Southern dishes, except for its sharper tang. But the love for this recipe doesn’t end at its addictive flavor profile. It’s a cheerful, colorful medley that’s packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, and probiotics which are great for gut health, courtesy of the vinegar-led pickling process.
An Ode to Our Oceanic Affinity
Apart from the deep rural influences you can find in our Piquant Pickles with Rue, what I love about it the most is how its fruit base wonderfully complements our local coastal seafood. It’s a delicious side with fresh grilled fish or even a spicy shrimp boil. The refreshing burst of flavor has the magic to take me right back to the beautiful coastlines where I spend my surfing days, creating this lovely connection between land and sea that’s characteristic of the Palmetto State.
I invite you to try the Piquant Pickles with Rue and experience this beautiful slice of the Southern tradition. It’s a straightforward recipe that’s a joy to make, the flavors maturing and deepening over time. Bear in mind that these goodies also make a great addition to your picnic baskets, and they could be creative and thoughtful homemade gifts too! You can find more about this interesting ingredient rue here!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 1.5 cups sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 small clove garlic, smashed
- 1/4 cup fresh rue, chopped
- 8 cups mixed fresh fruit, chopped (such as pineapple, mango, and apple)
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Method
Step One
Combine the white vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, crushed red pepper flakes, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and smashed garlic in a medium saucepan. Bring it to a boil over high heat.
Step Two
Once the mixture begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the sugar and salt have completely dissolved.
Step Three
Add the chopped fresh rue to the saucepan and stir until it’s fully incorporated into the mixture. Let the mixture simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
Step Four
Place your mixed fresh fruits and thinly sliced red onion into a heatproof bowl or jar. Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the top, making sure all the fruits and onion are fully submerged.
Step Five
Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then cover your bowl or jar and place it in the refrigerator.
Step Six
Allow the pickles to chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours – for best results, leave them overnight. The pickles can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a month. Enjoy your piquant pickles with rue with your favorite dishes!
