Huffington Magazine Issue 70 | Page 78

FROM LEFT: GETTY IMAGES/STOCKFOOD; KELLY CLINE/GETTY IMAGES Exit the deli spears, sour dills and (go ahead, admit it) bright green hamburger chips we all love. My best advice: start with some other stuff first. A few of the earliest, best pickles I ever made: • Mushrooms (Polish style, with allspice and onions — they are an amazing addition to a cheese platter) • Cauliflower (seems almost impossible to screw up) • Brussels sprouts (see above note on cauliflower) • Asparagus (they are like sponges for brine) • Carrots (perfectly crunchy every time, no matter what) EAT THIS If you’re thinking, “I really want to make pickles, but canning seems like it’s a huge pain or I will give myself botulism.” I hear you. Nearly every pickle I have ever made has been stored in the fridge for both of those reasons. The truth is really that canning isn’t that hard, and there are excellent spirit guides out there for just this conundrum (check out Sherri Brooks Vinton’s excellent Put 'em Up. The most important thing we want you to take away from this is: Don’t let that stop you. Check out this great Eating Well primer on making fridge pickles, and start stocking your pantry and fridge with pickling ingredients, so you can pickle on a whim. HUFFINGTON 10.13.13