Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Give 'em the McVicker! Learning the basics of pickling at Maker Faire

A few week's ago, our family headed to the Bay Area Maker Faire in San Mateo, California. This was our second year going, first year for our teenage son, and we already knew a little about what to expect. Maker Faire's tag line is "The Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth" and it really is that! They have everything from robotic toys, flying drones, pyrotechnic displays, and even a Tesla Coil stage. While my husband went for the open source hardware, DIY drones, and 3D printers, I was much more interested in heading over to the Homegrown Village, where they hosted lectures and workshops on various culinary topics.

For more on Maker Faire, along with the list of locations and dates head to their

On Sunday afternoon, I headed over to the Hands-On Homegrown Workshops to attend Kelly McVicker's workshop highlighting the basics of pickling. Kelly is the owner of McVicker Pickles based in San Francisco. She sells pickles, mustards, and a bacon jam, and also offers workshops on a regular basis. Through her craft, she channels her grandmother's spirit. When teaching, she wears her grandmother's homemade apron. Her pickles are innovative and delicious, she carries varieties from dill pickles to spicy dilly beans to pickled beets, grapes, and more!


McVicker taught the basics of both vinegar pickling and fermentation pickling. Both of the pickles she made were refrigerator pickles, not intended to be stored on the shelf. She started with the vinegar method, pickling grapes in a brine of apple cider vinegar, garlic, chili peppers, and spices. She then moved onto the fermentation method, pickling carrot slices with dill, chili peppers, garlic, and pickling spice.
 
The workshop at Maker Faire was a perfect introduction course for pickling first timers, and also a great learning opportunity for those that had experience in the culinary field. Sitting at my work station was a boy of maybe 8 with his father, and 2 lovely women who were first time picklers. I came home with my carrot slices fermenting away and a jar of McVicker's Spicy Dilly Beans, perfect for a Bloody Mary. A few days later, my carrot pickles were ready to store in the refrigerator.
 

Since I didn't get a chance to vinegar brine grapes, I chose to test my new knowledge on some cherries I picked up at the farmer's market. Using McVicker's ratio for the vinegar brine, I spiced my cherries with ginger, star anise, mustard and peppercorns. To see my full recipe, ingredient amounts, and method, please head over to my Sweet and Spicy Pickled Cherries recipe.
 

15 comments:

  1. I wish I had time to learn to do things like this! Sounds like a fun day - but I can't even envision what pickled cherries taste like!

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    1. Maker Faire was amazing, but did take up our entire weekend! We purchased the tickets back in March. I handed the kids to my hubby so I could sit in.

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  2. I haven't pickled in a few years, but I do miss it! How great and inspiring it would be to get some fresh ideas at a workshop like that. And, I forget that refrigerator pickling is much simpler and really doesn't take that much time. I need to pull my jars out! :)

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    1. I do a lot of refrigerator pickling, especially when I'm planning a taco night. I love pickled onions and carrots on top of my steak tacos!

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  3. These make great gifts. To pickle for me is to love me!

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    1. Pickles and jams/jellies. I love making homemade gifts, just because!

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  4. Pickling is something I've always wanted to do, but I have yet to really give it a go. I like the idea of cold pickling because it's a good way for me to get my feet wet and try it out without fear of food poisoning...lol.

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    1. I think refrigerator pickling is the way to go, unless you have a LOT of stuff you need to preserve!

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  5. Everytime I see this post I am mesmerized by the fire picture. What is that? Looks like it would be really fun to watch!!

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    1. It is a 25 foot tall steampunk octopus! Called the "Pulpo Mechanico". It was the featured sculpture at Maker Faire this year. I think you can learn more about it on the Maker Faire website!

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  6. I have never tried pickling before, but now I want to!

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    1. You can always start with cucumbers or onions! The method and ratio is the same, but you can always change up your spices. It's really not hard!

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  7. I have never tried pickling but it looks like a good idea if my garden produces lots of crops this year. Thanks for sharing Renee.

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  8. I've never picked before but it sounds really interesting!
    I wish I could taste the sweet & sour picked cherries :)

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  9. That faire sounds awesome! I would love to go! Looks fun... :) I'm def trying your cherries! Thank you for linking up to the Merry Monday Linky! Julia

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I love to hear your thoughts! I read each and every comment, so feel free to leave a comment at any time :)