19 Foods You Need to Start Pickling Immediately
When it comes to pickled foods, cucumbers are kind of has-been.
© iStock / Getty Images Plus / Olesia Shadrina
The benefits of pickled foods
Pickling is a food preservation process that has been around since ancient times. It helps extend the shelf life of food through preservation in an acid solution, such as vinegar or saltwater brine. The quick pickling method uses water, vinegar, pickling salt and optionally, various spices or aromatics, such as lemon rind, garlic or fresh herbs. The other pickling technique involves fermentation, when naturally occurring sugars and bacteria engage in a chemical reaction, giving fermented foods their distinctly sour taste.
Not only do fermented and pickled foods taste good, but they are also full of health benefits, including:
- Improves digestion, thanks to the probiotics
- Promotes more stable blood glucose levels, which staves off intense hunger pangs and prevents your blood sugar from spiking
- Improves immune function and helps fight against disease—many fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants
If you're already a fan of regular pickles, which are made from cucumbers, why not continue your exploration of fermented and pickled foods with these 19 delicious options?
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Dive into summer with this fresh, light and healthy mango salad!
INGREDIENTS
- Peanuts
- Carrot
- Mango
- Rocket
- 2 limes
- Olive oil
- Soy sauce
- Red onion, minced
- Salt
- Pepper
METHOD
- Lightly sautée the peanuts until golden.
- Take the carrots and cut into thin slices.
- Peel the mango and slice into thin strips.
- Squeeze the juice from 2 limes into a bowl, and add olive oil, soy sauce, minced onion, salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, toss together the mango, carrot, rocket, and lime-soy dressing.
- Enjoy!
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