Garlic Scape Pickles
Choose your flavor--- basil with chili pepper flakes or dill with black
peppercorns.
Ingredients:
1 lb. or more Garlic scapes, whole
5 cups vinegar
5 cups
water
½ cup less 1 Tbsp. Pickling salt
Fresh basil leaves or Dill heads (or ½
tsp. dill seed)
Chili pepper flakes or Whole black peppercorns
Directions:
1. Rinse the scapes, trim off the hard bit end that formed at the original cut, and cut them into uniform shapes. Cut the straight part to fit in a pint jar. Leave the curly part with flowers to round and shape into the jar.
2. Have jars clean and very hot, and lids and sealers ready in scalding water. Prepare the boiling water bath canner.
3. In each jar, place 1 Fresh Basil Leaf and ¼ tsp. chili pepper flakes OR 1 Fresh Dill Head (or ½ tsp. dill seed) and ½ tsp. whole black pepper corns. Pack the scapes into the jar, starting by rounding up the curly parts, then using the straight pieces to fill the center. Flower tips may be trimmed off if needed. Leave about 1 inch of headroom.
4. Combine the vinegar, water and pickling salt in a pot and bring to a boil. Slowly pour the hot brine over the garlic scapes, leaving ½ inch headspace. Once the jar is full remove any air bubbles. Check headspace again and add more brine if necessary.
5. Wipe the rim, apply the lid and ring and process in a Boiling Water Bath for 10 minutes.
6. Let the pickles cure at least 2 weeks to develop full flavor. Makes 6 to 7 pints.
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