Pickled Asparagus

These won a Blue Ribbon at the 2012 Tillamook County Fair!  The recipe comes from Food.com - formally recipezaar.  The chef who shared the recipe is czwhizworks.  I think the next time I do pickled asparagus though - I will use my mother-in-law's Dilly Bean recipe which is also posted on this site.  I thought this particular recipe was a little too salty for my taste. 


Pickled Asparagus

30 asparagus spears
1/3 cup coarse salt
3 1/2 cups cold water
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 1/2 tsp dill seeds
1 white onion, sliced into rings
1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes, divided
2 sprigs fresh dill

Combine water, vinegar, salt, garlic, mustard seed, dill seed and onion rings in saucepan over medium heat.  Bring to a boil and boil 15 minutes.
Pack the asparagus - tips up in jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace.  Tuck one dill sprig into each jar.  Sprinkle half of red pepper flakes into each jar.  Pour hot pickling liquid into jars filling to 1/4 inch headspace.  Wipe rims, add hot lids and bands.  Process in water bath for 10 minutes.
Makes 2 quarts