Zingy Jamie Oliver Pickled Courgette Recipe for Summer

Pickled courgette serves up a zesty culinary transformation that electrifies ordinary vegetables with vibrant flavor.

Summer’s bounty bursts from each crisp, tangy bite, capturing garden-fresh essence in a single jar.

Crafting these emerald pickles requires minimal effort but promises maximum taste excitement.

Vinegar and spices work their enchanting alchemy, turning humble courgettes into a gourmet sensation.

Sharp, bright notes cut through rich dishes, adding unexpected complexity to every meal.

These pickled morsels elevate simple ingredients from mundane to magnificent.

Get ready to unleash a flavor revolution that will make your taste buds dance with pure delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 70 kcal

Servings: 4

Everything for Jamie Oliver Pickled Courgette

• Courgettes: Choose firm, bright green zucchinis without blemishes or soft spots for the best texture and flavor.
• Shallots: Select small, firm shallots with tight, dry skins for a subtle, sweet onion taste.

• White Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar: Pick high-quality, clear vinegars with a sharp, clean acidity to enhance pickling process.
• Granulated Sugar: Use pure white sugar to balance the tangy vinegar and create a smooth flavor profile.
• Mustard Seeds: Opt for fresh, whole mustard seeds that add a subtle nutty and slightly spicy undertone.
• Black Peppercorns: Choose whole, freshly ground peppercorns for a vibrant, aromatic kick.

• Glass Jars: Select clean, clear mason jars with tight-fitting lids to ensure proper sealing and storage.
• Paper Towels, Kitchen Towels: Use lint-free, absorbent towels to thoroughly dry vegetables before pickling.

Equipment to Prep Pickled Courgettes

• Mandoline Slicer or Sharp Knife: Perfect for creating uniform, thin courgette rounds quickly.
• Large Bowl: Spacious container for mixing and salting vegetables.
• Paper Towels or Clean Kitchen Towels: Essential for drying vegetables thoroughly.
• Medium Saucepan: Ideal for preparing and heating pickling brine.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring brine and mixing ingredients.
• Glass Jars with Tight-Fitting Lids: Clean containers for storing and preserving pickles.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure vinegar and sugar.
• Oven: Useful for sterilizing glass jars before pickling.
• Tongs or Spoon: Helpful for transferring vegetables and brine into jars.

Quick Pickling Steps to Follow

• Prep Zucchini Slices

Grab your sharpest knife and slice zucchini into delicate rounds. Mix with chopped shallots and sprinkle a pinch of salt. Cover with cold water and let the mixture relax for an hour, releasing excess liquid.

• Transform Vegetables

Drain water completely and gently pat zucchini and shallots dry using clean kitchen towels. Ensure the vegetables are completely moisture-free for perfect pickling.

• Craft Tangy Liquid

Combine white and apple cider vinegars in a saucepan with sugar, mustard seeds, and black peppercorns. Heat until the mixture bubbles and sugar dissolves, creating a flavorful brine. Let it cool down to a warm temperature.

• Marry Vegetables and Brine

Pour the aromatic warm liquid over your dried zucchini mixture. Gently stir to coat every slice with the zesty pickling solution.

• Jar and Preserve

Thoroughly clean glass jars with hot soapy water. Warm them in the oven at 340°F for 10 minutes to sterilize. Carefully spoon the pickled zucchini and brine into jars, sealing tightly with clean lids.

• Flavor Development

Tuck the jars into the refrigerator. Allow the pickles to mingle and develop their tangy personality for 2-3 days before diving in. Enjoy within two weeks for maximum freshness and crunch.

Adjusting Brine for Courgette Flavor

• Boost Pickling Success: Slice courgettes paper-thin for maximum flavor absorption and elegant texture. A mandoline slicer creates consistent, professional-looking rounds.
• Salt and Drain Magic: Salting vegetables pulls out excess water, concentrating flavors and creating crisp pickles. Don't skip this crucial step for perfect preservation.
• Brine Brilliance: Experiment with vinegar ratios to customize tanginess. White vinegar provides sharp acidity, while apple cider vinegar adds subtle sweetness and depth.
• Storage Smart: Always use clean, sterilized jars to prevent bacterial growth. Glass containers with tight-fitting lids work best for maintaining pickle quality and extending refrigerator life.

Plating and Serving Pickled Veggies

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped dill, parsley, or chives over the pickled courgettes for a burst of color and added freshness that elevates the dish.
• Pair with Charcuterie: Serve these tangy pickles alongside cured meats, cheeses, and crusty bread for a delightful appetizer or snack that combines rich and zesty flavors.
• Create Sandwich Crunch: Layer pickled courgettes in sandwiches or burgers to add a crisp, acidic kick that cuts through rich and creamy ingredients.
• Enhance Salad Texture: Chop pickled courgettes and toss into green salads or grain bowls for an unexpected twist of tang and crunch that makes every bite exciting.

Storage Tips for Courgette Pickles

• Preserve Perfectly: Keep your homemade courgette pickles fresh and delicious with these smart storage strategies.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store sealed jars in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to maintain optimal taste and texture for up to two weeks.
• Airtight Seal Technique: Always use clean, sterilized jars with tight-fitting lids to prevent contamination and preserve the pickles' crisp flavor and quality.
• Flavor Development Hack: Let pickles rest for 2-3 days before eating, allowing the brine to deeply infuse the vegetables with tangy, aromatic goodness and enhance their overall taste profile.
• Freshness Check: Inspect pickles weekly for any signs of unusual color, smell, or mold. Discard immediately if you notice any unexpected changes to ensure food safety.

Tangy Jamie Oliver Pickled Courgette Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Pickled courgette by Jamie Oliver brings zesty Mediterranean flavors to simple summer salads. Italian-inspired preservation methods infuse crisp zucchini with tangy herbs and spices, offering you a quick and delicious condiment.

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Ingredients

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• 500 g (17.6 oz) courgettes (zucchinis)
• 3 shallots, finely chopped
• 500 ml (16.9 fl oz) apple cider vinegar
• 140 g (4.9 oz) golden caster sugar
• 2 tbsps pure salt
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp celery seeds
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• ½ dried chili, crumbled

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Slice zucchinis into ultra-thin, translucent rounds using a mandoline or sharp chef’s knife, ensuring consistent thickness.
2. Salting: Combine zucchini slices with shallots in a large bowl, generously coating with kosher salt to extract moisture. Cover with cold water and let rest for one hour to soften and season vegetables.
3. Draining: Strain vegetables in a colander, meticulously pressing out excess liquid using clean kitchen towels until completely dry.
4. Brine Creation: Craft a flavor-packed pickling liquid by simmering white vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and water in a saucepan. Allow mixture to dissolve and reach a gentle bubble, then cool to a comfortable handling temperature.
5. Infusion: Submerge dried zucchini and shallots in the warm, aromatic brine, ensuring complete coverage of each delicate slice.
6. Jarring: Sterilize glass mason jars by washing in hot, soapy water and drying in a 340°F (170°C) oven for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer pickled vegetables and brine into jars, leaving minimal headspace.
7. Preservation: Seal jars tightly and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and intensify over 48-72 hours before serving.

Notes

• Slice Uniformly: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create consistent 1/8-inch thick zucchini rounds for even pickling and texture.
• Salt Technique: Let salted zucchini sit for an hour to draw out moisture, ensuring crisp and flavorful pickles with enhanced texture.
• Brine Temperature Matters: Cool brine to warm (not hot) before adding vegetables to prevent overcooking and maintain zucchini’s delicate crunch.
• Patience Pays Off: Refrigerate pickles for 48-72 hours to allow flavors to develop and fully infuse, creating a more complex and delicious result.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 70
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 10000 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg