My family grew up in Salem, Oregon. Thanks to my fathers green thumb we had a garden with every vegetable imaginable. Summer was a magical time we looked forward to so much. We baled hay, picked blueberries and strawberries at the neighbors houses in trade for our veggies, we rode the horses next door. An epic part of every summer was when we got ready to make pickles. Using my great grandmothers recipe brought over from Poland, passed down by generations.
As a young girl it was a big chore and not necessarily the way I wanted to spend my oh so precious summer days out of school. But let me tell you, the fruits of our labor were so delicious that in the end I didn’t mind it too much. Those pickles were so amazing that I remember my sister, Summer, and I sneaking into the pantry at all hours of the night and smuggling them into our rooms. My poor mother and the sheets that reeked of pickle juice every morning... These pickles became such a coveted item that my great Aunt Ollie had to watch us when we went into the pantry for fear that we would steal some of the last jars of the season.
As an adult I remembered these days fondly, and missed the pickles and the memories that came with them. I would call my mother every few years and get the recipe again and again, never writing it down, but always making them for myself… After doing this for so many years I finally saved it, made a huge batch and got a little bit creative with it. With a buddy by my side and making it fun again I made pickled everything! I had pickles coming out of my ears! At this point I started sharing them with my friends, getting feedback, and it was all good. The demand was overwhelming!
I was and still am so grateful for the compliments and praise this recipe gets. I am so proud of my beautiful Grandma Crabb, you'll recognize her by the logo, and thank you to my mother, that they passed on this timeless tradition to me and my sister Summer. I am so happy to share these pickles with you, and the little bit of love that comes with every jar. I truly feel like every time I start the process and recreate those precious times in the kitchen as a little girl, it heals my soul, and makes the world a beautiful place. Thank you for reading this and sharing in my experience. Never Underestimate The Power Of Pickles!