COLORFUL AND CRUNCHY PICKLED ZUCCHINI – SWEET, TANGY & SLIGHTLY SPICY
I made these pickles over the weekend purely for their beautiful appearance. I wasn’t thrilled about using boiled vinegar or pickling zucchini at first, but their vibrant color and jarred look won me over. The resulting brine is sweet, tangy, and gently spicy from ginger, while the finely sliced zucchini remain delightfully crisp.
Inspired by Judy Rodgers’ recipe (who also gave us the peach tart), I added coriander and ginger for extra depth.
🕒 Prep Time: 20 min + 1 hour brining + 2 days chilling
🍽️ Makes: 1 large jar (~700 g zucchini)
Ingredients
- 700 g young zucchini (choose smaller ones)
- 1 small onion
- 500 ml white wine vinegar (6%)
- 200 g sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 1/2 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp turmeric powder (level)
- 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
- A pinch of ground ginger
- 2 tbsp salt
Instructions
- Wash zucchini well and trim ends. Peel onion.
- Slice zucchini thinly—lengthwise into ribbons or crosswise into fine rounds. Slice onion into similarly thin rounds. A slicer or mandoline makes this easier.
- Dissolve salt in ice-cold water in a large bowl. Add zucchini and onion, filling with cold water to cover. Let soak for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, combine vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, mustard powder, turmeric, coriander seeds, and ground ginger in a pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Drain zucchini and onion, patting dry thoroughly with kitchen towels.
- Place zucchini and onion into a clean jar. Pour cooled spiced vinegar over them, stir gently, then seal the jar.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 days before eating. The pickles keep well for months in the fridge.
💡 Tips
- Using young zucchini ensures tender yet crisp pickles.
- Thin slicing helps brine penetrate evenly.
- Letting the vinegar mixture cool prevents cooking the vegetables in the jar.
- Adding coriander and ginger layers in extra flavor.
🍽️ Perfect For
- Bright, crunchy side dishes
- Adding zing to sandwiches or salads
- Long-lasting homemade preserves
📝 Final Thoughts
These colorful pickled zucchinis deliver beautiful jars of vibrant, sweet-tangy-spicy goodness with a satisfying crunch—perfect for enjoying anytime or gifting homemade delights.