Name: The Almost Original Branston Pickle Recipe!
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 4 1 lb Jars
Ingredients: 9 ounces carrots, peeled and cut into small chunks; 1 medium swede, peeled and cut into small chunks; 4 -5 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped; 5 ounces dates, finely chopped; 1 small cauliflower, finely chopped; 2 onions, peeled and finely chopped; 2 medium apples, finely chopped, unpeeled; 2 medium finely chopped courgettes, unpeeled; 15 -20 small cornichons or 15 -20 small gherkins, finely chopped; 10 ounces dark brown sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 4 tablespoons lemon juice; 3/4 pint malt vinegar; 2 teaspoons mustard seeds; 2 teaspoons ground allspice; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

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Recipe by French Tart

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The Almost Original Branston Pickle Recipe! created by Leggy Peggy

One of the best-known British commercialised pickles or relishes, is that of Branston Pickle, a spiced vegetable mixture - and a staple for all cheese sarnies (sandwiches) and ploughman's lunches! There are many generic brands on the market now, but this is the closest set of ingredients and the most authentic taste, compared with the Original Branston Pickle recipe! Branston Pickle is wonderful when added to curries and stews, and you MUST try it with toasted cheese or Welsh rarebit - delicious!

Ready In:: 2hrs 30mins
Yields:
Units:

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ingredients

9 ounces carrots, peeled and cut into small chunks
1 medium swede, peeled and cut into small chunks
4 -5 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
5 ounces dates, finely chopped
1 small cauliflower, finely chopped
2 onions, peeled and finely chopped
2 medium apples, finely chopped, unpeeled
2 medium finely chopped courgettes, unpeeled
15 -20 small cornichons or 15 -20 small gherkins, finely chopped
10 ounces dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons lemon juice
³⁄₄ pint malt vinegar
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

directions

Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring them to the boil.
Then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the swede is cooked, but still remains firm, about 2 hours.
Stir well to redistribute all of the vegetables.
Bottle and seal in sterile and hot jars.
Allow the pickle to age for a few weeks before using, this improves the taste and it will become more "mellow".
Serve with cheese, ploughman's lunches, in sandwiches, with cold cuts and meats. This pickle is also wonderful when added to curries and stews.

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RECIPE MADE WITH LOVE BY

@French Tart

Contributor

@French Tart

Contributor

"One of the best-known British commercialised pickles or relishes, is that of Branston Pickle, a spiced vegetable mixture - and a staple for all cheese sarnies (sandwiches) and ploughman's lunches! There are many generic brands on the market now, but this is the closest set of ingredients and the most authentic taste, compared with the Original Branston Pickle recipe! Branston Pickle is wonderful when added to curries and stews, and you MUST try it with toasted cheese or Welsh rarebit - delicious!"

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review by barry835

12/22/2021

On my second try with this recipe, I used the entire zest of the lemon, 1.5 times the sugar and doubled the vinegar. I also added 1.5 tablespoons of molasses, mustard powder, and not seed, 1.5 tablespoons of tomato paste, and 1.5 teaspoons of grated fresh ginger. The results had all the taste of Branston pickle, looked like Branston pickle and also a wider rainbow of flavor. I'd do this again.

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review by 57sesa

11/23/2021

I chopped all my ingredients in a hand held food mixer. I found it easier to chop the dates and gerkins together, it works very well. I too followed advice on doubling the vinegar and sugar measurements. An excellent recipe ??

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review by Ken S.

12/9/2020

I followed the advice of another commenter about doubling the sugar and vinegar and I’m glad I did. I also added about 4 tablespoons of tomato paste since it’s listed on the jar among the ingredients, the zest of the lemon I juiced, and a splash of orange juice. The result is, in my opinion, a near-perfect copy of the original. Excellent recipe. I might add just a little grated fresh ginger next time as I believe that may be present in the original. But again - this is a terrific recipe.

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question by Rebecca M.

10/31/2020

Hi how much does this make?... Trying to figure out how many jars we need to have standing by. ??

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tweak by udallvaughan

4/6/2020

I have made this a couple of times. I did take the advice from the reviews and double up on vinegar and sugar. We compared it with a real Branson and found it tastier with more bite. Will be making more. ??

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