Sweet Onions In Salt Brine Recipes

ENGLISH PICKLED ONIONS (PUB STYLE)

Steps:

• To more easily peel the onions: Trim the ends off of each onion and place them in a heat-proof bowl. Pour boiling water over them and let them sit for a minute. Then drain, rinse with cold water and remove the peels. Place the peeled onions in a bowl, sprinkle with the salt and toss to distribute the salt. Cover with a towel or loosely with plastic wrap and let them sit at room temp overnight. Don't let them sit longer than 14 hours or so or the amount of "crunch" will be compromised. Rinse well and drain thoroughly.
• To make the brine: Place all remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil until the sugar is dissolved.
• While the brine is simmering, pack the onions into sterilized mason/Kilner jars (plan on using either 4 pint sized jars or 2 quart sized jars). Pour the hot brine over the onions (I pour it through a sieve to collect the spices) and then distribute the spices among the jars. Stick a butter knife or other long object down into the jars to ensure there are no air bubbles. Wipe the jar rims down with a clean, damp cloth. Place the canning lids on the jars (or rubber rings if using) and screw/snap shut while hot to create a vacuum seal. Let the onions cool and then place them somewhere at room temp to mature for at least 3-4 weeks before eating, preferably 6-8 weeks for best flavor. Once opened store them in the fridge where they will keep for 3+ months.
• If canning the onions via boiling water bath for long-term storage (note: they will lost much of their crunchiness): Pack the jars as described above and wipe the rims. Stick a butter knife or other long object down into the jars to ensure there are no air bubbles. Place the lids on the jars and screw them on. Process them in a boiling water bath canner. For pint-sized jars in altitudes up to 1000 ft, process for 10 minutes (see chart in blog post for higher altitudes).Remove the jars from the canner and let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours. Check to make sure the lids are airtight. Then store them in a cool, dark place where they will keep for up to a year. Once opened store them in the fridge where they will keep for 3+ months.

EASY LACTO-FERMENTED ONION RECIPE

Steps:

• Peel onions and remove the ends.
• Put mixing bowl on kitchen scale and zero it out.
• Slice onions thinly and move to the mixing bowl. Using a mandolin will help create uniformly thin slices.
• Note measurement of sliced onions in mixing bowl. It should be around 1.5lbs. If you have more than this, remove the extra. You can use the rest in dinner, a salad or refrigerate/freeze for future use.
• Add salt (approximately 8g or 1.5 tsp) and mix well.
• Move onions to jar, pressing down as you go along. Make sure your jar is clean and you don't fill past the shoulder. Onions tend to create plenty of juice so making the cut off the shoulder or a little below is pretty wise!
• Let ferment for one week at room temperature, and one week in the fridge. This is a ferment you will want to put on something to catch excess liquid just in case it leaks!
• Enjoy!!!

BEST EVER SWEET PICKLES

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive bowl, combine cucumbers, onion and salt. Cover with crushed ice and mix well. Let stand 3 hours. Drain; rinse and drain thoroughly., In a Dutch oven, combine sugar, water, vinegars, mustard seed, celery seed and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add cucumber mixture; return to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 4-5 minutes or until heated through., Carefully ladle hot mixture into 4 hot wide-mouth 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Add 3 garlic cloves and 1 bay leaf to each jar. Remove air bubbles and, if necessary, adjust headspace by adding hot pickling liquid. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

SWEET ONIONS IN SALT BRINE

Steps:

• Combine 4 cups water and the salt in a medium bowl. Stir to dissolve the salt. Pack the sliced onion and jalapeño if using into 2 sterilized quart glass jars with tight lids. Pour over the brine, leaving 1 inch of headroom between the top of the liquid and the top of the jars. If necessary, weigh the onions down under the brine to keep them submerged (see Cook's Note).
• Cover the jars with pieces of parchment paper or cheesecloth and seal lightly with a canning ring or a rubber band. Ferment at room temperature (60 to 70 degrees F is preferred) for at least 4 days and up to 2 weeks. The longer the ferment, the more flavorful the product. Taste it to see how you like it! Make sure to place in a shallow plate or bowl to catch any juices and if using a tight lid, "burp" the ferment daily to release excess pressure.
• Once the onions are finished, put a tight lid on the jars and move to the fridge for up to 2 weeks.