[Steve_B]

Hi all.

Is it ok to pickle courgettes in the same way as cucumber?

The recipe in Val's book is:


cucumbers, salt, spiced vinegar.

slice and salt cucumber, rinse and drain, pack into sterile jars and cover with hot spiced vinegar.
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Can i follow the same procedure with courgettes?

Will they be ok cut in thick strips instead of slices?

Is it possible to pickle small whole courgettes like gherkin, would I need to blanch them first?

When filling the jar do I need to fill right to the brim with vinegar or is a small gap ok as long as the veg is covered and the seal is good?
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I know that's a lot of questions but I seem to have a lot of courgettes! Any advice gratefully received.

Preserving newbie here, in case you haven't guessed!

[Beetroot queen]

I dont actually know but i am watching for an idea of what to do with 19 courgettes in the fridge  i told hubby we didnt need so many plants 

[Mrs Bee]

I have pickled courgettes in the same way as cucumber.

Fill the jars to the top with vinegar as they the veg tends to float.
to be on the safe side, it my veg are floating I put a clean crumpled piece of greaseproofpaper on top of the veg to keep it submerged in the vinegar.

You can make a very nice antipasta type of pickle with courgettes. THey don't have a very long life and you need to keep them in the fridge but they are very tasty.

I can't remember off hand where i put the recipe, but will look for it if you would like it.

i am not sure about pickling whole small courgettes; haven't done that but I would think it would work. Perhaps you could look for a recipe for pickling gerkins. Will pop off and have a look.
Di

[mumofstig]

The traditional Italian way...........
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/zucchine-sottolio-zucchini-preserved-in-oil-with-hot-peppers-garlic-and-mint.html

[wighty]

Off topic but you could always send your spare ones to me as I have done three sowings and failed to get any to germinate

[Steve_B]

Thanks for the answers, I think I'll try two or three variations on a small scale, then post the results here.

[simbamara]

Beetroot Queen.

Here is how I use courgettes (3  @a time);we prepare for 4 people

1.Grilled as Pizza toppings
2.Linguine with Courgettes,chilli flakes+lemon rind
3.Courgette anti pasti
4.Parmaggiano di Zucchini (6 courgettes)
5.Courgette curry(its delicious) Use 3/4.

[Steveharford]

I like the sound of those Simbamara. Any chance of a recipe for 3,4  and 5 please?

[devonbarmygardener]

I love courgettes but I don't fancy them pickled

Mine are keeping fairly well in a dark cupboard as long as they have a decent stalk.
If it comes off the plant stalkless and exposes the soft fruit then I use them quickly.

Have been grating mine for quiche/flan bases - grate into a clean teatowel and wring all the water out. Add whatever else you want and bung in a pastry base.

[GrannieAnnie]

Not sure I'd like them pickled either.  I just chop them and freeze in 1lb bags.  Then use them for soups and to add to stews and curries etc.

[devonbarmygardener]

Not sure I'd like them pickled either.  I just chop them and freeze in 1lb bags.  Then use them for soups and to add to stews and curries etc.

Blanch or no blanch?

[GrannieAnnie]

I don't blanch.  Suppose I should, but I've still got frozen ones from last year and they look okay!  Used some a couple of weeks ago in a curry!

[devonbarmygardener]

Some stuff goes to soggy blanching I think.
Thanks

[GrannieAnnie]

Aahh, but if they are going as soup or in curries and pasta doesn't matter if they are a bit soggy, as they will break right down and help thicken as well as flavour.

[Mrs Bee]

You can use them in mousakka instead of aubergines and they make good fritters mixed with cubes of and grated onion and a bit of mint in a basic batter mix.