This week, for the first time in a few months, I had my canning pot on the stove. I had a mountain of carrots from my winter CSA that needed some attention, so I made a batch of vinegar pickles. When it comes to carrots, we’ve had an embarrassment of riches this winter and I’ve been trying to work through them every which way I can. A couple of disclosures are necessary here. First, I don’t exactly love carrots. Second, there are still plenty of carrots left in my crisper so I welcome your favorite carrot recipes in the comments. (If you’ve been keeping up with the podcast, this isn’t the first you’ve heard of my carrots.)
My carrot situation got me thinking about how my approach to preserving has changed since I first started. My initial excitement pushed me to try as many new recipes and flavor combinations as possible, whereas now I’ve settled into a more practical approach. Rather than daring flavors, I’m drawn to simple, tried and true recipes for those times when there’s a little extra of something. Preserving has quietly taken its place in my culinary habits, which I realize has meant I’m writing about it here less. (Consider this a very public mental note to try and change that a bit in the upcoming season.) Most of the time, I find myself turning to my reliable recipes by other folks, recipes that I’m happy to make without any real changes.
This carrot daikon kimchi from Doris and Jilly Cook is one of those recipes. I find myself coming back to it every year around this time. If you’ve yet to try fermenting vegetables, this is an ideal starter project. I cruised around the greenmarket yesterday and all the ingredients, except the ginger of course, are available now. I typically double the batch when I make it and leave out the scallions and pepper, but take a look at the original recipe and do what suits you. We use this as a condiment to accompany eggs and hash browns, grain dishes, and—most joyfully—on nachos. My mini-batch of fermented watermelon radishes that you see above was darn pretty, but I’m still perfecting it. I just started an “in-between season preserving” pinterest board to help me collect not-quite-spring inspiration. What kitchen projects are carrying you through to warmer weather?
About autumn
Autumn Giles is the creator of Autumn Makes & Does and the co-host of the Alphabet Soup Podcast.
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Very cool! I’ve never even thought about making my own. Yum!
It’s an easy and rewarding project Katrina, I hope you try it!
Wow, I’d have never thought of putting kimchi on nachos. What a great fusion concept—can’t wait to try it. Especially with the carrots (which I’d also never thought to combine with nachos!). The radishes are pretty, too.
As for tide-me-over kitchen projects, I tried an arugula-pistachio pesto this week that made a good winter/spring alternative to the basil kind.
Molly, your pistachio sounds great… and pretty too! 🙂
Love this…on my to make list! 🙂
PICKLES! I’ve been meaning to put together some carrot pickle, but haven’t gotten around to it quite yet. Thanks for the kick in the pants! And that carrot-daikon kimchi looks amazing. I have a feeling my counter may shortly be covered in jars of veg…
I found a wonderful carrot cake jelly to make… It would use up a good amount of your carrots.
The colors are amazing! That looks completely delicious
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