National Pickle Day

Happy National Pickle Day!

The first Pickle day was celebrated in 1949 and was started by the Pickle Packers Association.   The purpose of this holiday is to give the pickle a little love.  After all, it's a food that people generally don't think about but it is probably being served right at this moment at a restaurant near you on a burger, hot dog or even as a side garnish.  Today we recognize the tart, the sweet and even the spicy pickle.

The word pickle comes from the Dutch word "pekel" which means brine.  In the United States, the word pickle refers to a pickled cucumber.  However, any fruit or vegetable can be pickled.

The pickling process starts with blanching (the fruit or veggie).  It is then packed into jars with some seasonings that give it a pickle flavor.  The flavors can be spicy, tart or sweet.  The tartness and sweetness comes from the brine.  The brine includes vinegar and water and sugar is added to adjust the sweetness level.

Some interesting facts about pickles:

About 5,000,000 pickles are consumed each year in the United States.
Pickles make a great snack.
Pickles are sometimes deep fried and served at fairs.
Pickles are a good source of vitamin K.
Pickles date back to 2030 BX.  Cucumbers were imported from India.  The people preserved and ate the cucumbers as pickles.
Cleopatra said her good looks came from eating pickles.
Julius Caesar believed that pickles gave physical strength and gave them to his troops.

How to observe National Pickle Day?  Snack on a pickle.  Do you like sweet, spicy or dill pickles?  How about trying pickled carrots, beets, cauliflower, eggs or watermelon?  What about adding a little pickle or pickled relish to your sandwich or salad?  What about trying it as a pizza topping?

How will you celebrate today?