The Fruit You Should Pickle For A Bite-Sized Sweet And Tangy Snack

Get ready to forget everything you know about pickles because grapes are here to steal the spotlight. Imagine juicy, sweet grapes transformed into a tangy, crisp, delightful burst of flavor that's about to change your snacking and cooking game. Though less common than pickled vegetables, fruits can turn into unexpected treats when bathed in pickling brine. From addictive pickled watermelon to stone fruits like peaches and plums in summer. This year, pickled grapes are ready to join your home pickling lineup.

Pickling, a method for the preservation of food, has its roots in ancient times as people of the Tigris Valley used to preserve cucumbers in brine way back in 2030 BC. From then on, this method of steeping fresh produce in a salt or vinegar solution became essential for keeping food fresh across different civilizations, especially during winter months or on long journeys. Today, this ancient preservation method thrives globally, showcasing many adaptations and the incorporation of local ingredients, from Korean kimchi to Chinese pào cài, Jewish dill pickles, and German sauerkraut. 

Thanks to the advent of refrigeration, pickling has become as much about flavor as it is about preservation, and it's lauded for that distinctive taste it gives to fruits and vegetables across cuisines. Though pickled grapes aren't as common as pickled vegetables, they can be just as deliciously addictive as pickled cucumbers and just as easy to make.

Keep in mind that, since grapes are grown for different purposes like winemaking and direct consumption, it's best to choose seedless, thin-skinned, and firm table grapes for pickling. These sweeter varieties offer a smoother taste without the bitterness of seeds or thick skins. It doesn't matter whether you choose red, green, or black grapes as long as they are firm, fresh, and free from shriveling or wrinkles.

To pickle your grapes, start by rinsing 2 to 3 cups of grapes, removing the stems, and halving them for better flavor absorption. In a pot, dissolve ½ cup of sugar in 1 cup of boiling water. Then add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 or 2 slices of ginger, 1 tablespoon each of mustard seed, coriander seed, and whole black peppercorns along with 1 bay leaf and 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks. Let the brine cool slightly so it doesn't cook the grapes. Place the grapes in a clean glass jar, pour the warm brine over them, and ensure they're fully submerged. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, seal the jar, and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight to let the grapes absorb the flavors. 

For red or black grapes, try this recipe and pickle them in balsamic vinegar. It will infuse the grapes with a sweet, juicy acidity that pairs perfectly with your fall charcuterie board. And always remember, don't toss your leftover pickle juice! You can get endlessly creative with all those flavors, adding a burst of excitement to your cooking.

Besides shining on a charcuterie board along with various cheeses and cured meats, pickled grapes can elevate even the simplest salad to something extraordinary. These sweet and tangy grapes will bring vibrant, saturated flavors to any green salad bowl or this Mediterranean buckwheat grain salad along with some crunchy nuts and creamy goat cheese. For an unexpected twist, try swapping regular grapes with pickled ones in your chicken salad.

These pickled grapes are also insanely good when served warm. When roasting vegetables like Brussels sprouts, squash, or carrots, toss in some pickled grapes for a burst of fruity, tangy juiciness that complements the vegetables' natural sweetness and crunch. You can also blend pickled grapes into sauces and pan glazes for meat dishes like pork or duck. Their sweet and sour notes will perfectly complement the rich flavors of the meat. Believe it or not, pickled grapes also make wonderful pizza toppings. Try them with mild gouda, spinach, shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, and a drizzle of olive oil or pair them with brie or gorgonzola and caramelized onions on a flatbread.

Pickled grapes can also add a playful twist to desserts. Try topping a creamy old-fashioned cheesecake or a classic panna cotta with them and allow their bright tanginess to contrast beautifully with the creamy sweetness, adding a delightful pop to your sweet desserts. Last but not least, don't forget about cocktails, your next dirty martini definitely needs pickled grapes!