Happy National Pickle Day!
I'm a woman who's obsessed with pickles. I love their crunchy texture, their tangy flavor, and their versatility. I can eat them straight from the jar, slice them for sandwiches, dice them for salads, or even make them into relish. I am a pickle enthusiast. Pickles are somewhat of a passion of mine, and I'm proud of it.
The ancient history of pickles is a fascinating topic that reveals the culinary and cultural practices of different civilizations. The earliest evidence of pickles dates back to 2400 BC in Mesopotamia, where cucumbers were pickled in saltwater. Pickles were popular in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, India, and Persia. Pickling was not only a way to preserve food for long periods of time, but also a source of flavor, nutrition, and medicine. They also used pickling for various religious rituals. Pickles were overwhelmingly popular among explorers and sailors, who needed to keep their food fresh during long voyages. Some of the most famous "pickle lovers" in history include Napoleon and George Washington. Pickles were heavily praised by historical figures like Cleopatra and Julius Caesar as well for their health and beauty benefits.
Today, pickles are enjoyed all over the world, with different regions having their own varieties and flavors. Some of the most famous types of pickles are dill, gherkin, kimchi, sauerkraut and relish. Pickles are not only tasty, but healthy, as they contain probiotics, antioxidants and vitamins.
Here are some amusing and interesting facts about pickles and why we now have a national holiday for them:
National Pickle Day was first observed in 1949 by the Pickle Packers Association as part of the National Pickle Week. Later, it became an annual event on November 14th, 2001, thanks to the efforts of New York pickle enthusiasts.
Did you know that America owes its name to a pickle dealer? That's right, Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian explorer who branded the continent with his name, used to be a ship chandler who supplied pickled delicacies to sailors. Now, that's quite a salty twist of fate, don't you think?
You might be surprised, but it was the great writer, Shakespeare, who made up the saying “in a pickle” meaning to be in a tight spot. He used it in his play The Tempest, where he left a bunch of bad guys on an island full of magic and tricks. Now that does sound like a pickle!
Bread and butter pickles are a sweet and thinly sliced variety of pickles. They got their name from the deep Depression-era when people were so poor that they had to eat them with bread and butter for dinner........
So next time you bite into a crunchy pickle, remember that you are eating a piece of history.
With love & prayers to all my kindred gypsy spirits,
Deja View
P.S. A little gypsy wisdom for those who haven't found out that alcohol is actually a poison - Pickles can help you beat a hangover by replenishing your electrolytes and probiotics. In Russia, a glass of pickle juice from a jar of gherkins is a traditional hangover cure. XOXO
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