Preparing pickling onions
 

Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

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Broadback wrote:
:: Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a
:: quart of tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing
:: pickling onions. 3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(
::

pickling onions and red cabbage is something I have done in the past, but
not for a while...

peel your onions as normal and lay them out on a large tray, sprinkle salt
over them (lots!) and leave them overnight, the next day pack them into jars
and fill to the top with the vinegar of your choice.

The salt removes some of the water from them, meaning that they soak the
vinegar in quicker...the same applies to red cabbage, chop it up and cover
with salt overnight.

To prevent tears, peel them underwater and drain well before adding the
salt.


HTH

On Sat, 18 Sep 2004 15:22:04 +0100, Broadback
wrote:

Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

Let them soak a minute in boiling hot water - the skins will then peel
with ease.
Wear a pair of swimmer's eye goggles!

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk

In article , Broadback
writes
Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

To prevent tears, peel the onions near to a running tap and peel them
from the top downwards. Drop them into salted water while you do the
others. That enhances their flavour, texture and keeping time.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , Broadback
writes
Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a
quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling
onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

To prevent tears, peel the onions near to a running tap and peel
them
from the top downwards. Drop them into salted water while you do
the
others. That enhances their flavour, texture and keeping time.

I've always been a two-soak practitioner. Sounds like a waste of
time, and perhaps it is; but if you dump them into the first brine
without bothering to skin them, next day you can just squeeze off the
skins and nick off the tops and tails without so many tears. Hands
still stink, though!

If you want a _real_ waste of time, try Mrs Beeton's long-winded
simmer-in-milk version. I'll supply the recipe if you insist.

Mike.

"Phil L" wrote ...
Broadback wrote:
:: Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a
:: quart of tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing
:: pickling onions. 3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(
::

pickling onions and red cabbage is something I have done in the past, but
not for a while...

peel your onions as normal and lay them out on a large tray, sprinkle salt
over them (lots!) and leave them overnight, the next day pack them into
jars
and fill to the top with the vinegar of your choice.

Why? Why do you sprinkle salt over them, why do you leave them overnight to
attract bacteria etc?


The salt removes some of the water from them, meaning that they soak the
vinegar in quicker...the same applies to red cabbage, chop it up and cover
with salt overnight.

Don't you wash off the salt? If no, you are not doing your health any good,
if yes what's the point.

Peel, pop into a jar until full, sprinkle the spice in and top up with good
quality vinegar. Easy. No onions lying about, no salt contamination, do as
many jars as you want at a time. Leave for at least 6 weeks before eating
and after a year they are really good.
If you can peel them near an open window when there is a breeze so much the
better.

--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...

[snip]

Don't you wash off the salt? If no, you are not doing your health
any good,
if yes what's the point.

Peel, pop into a jar until full, sprinkle the spice in and top up
with good
quality vinegar. Easy. No onions lying about, no salt contamination,

True. The salt comntamination has been replaced by acetic acid
contamination.

[snip]

Franz

In article , Mike Lyle mike_lyle_uk@REMO
VETHISyahoo.co.uk writes
I've always been a two-soak practitioner. Sounds like a waste of
time, and perhaps it is; but if you dump them into the first brine
without bothering to skin them, next day you can just squeeze off the
skins and nick off the tops and tails without so many tears. Hands
still stink, though!

We don't 'two' soak. We drop peeled onions into brine, then drain them
well before preserving in spiced vinegar.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

"Franz Heymann" wrote after ...

"Bob Hobden wrote ...

[snip]

Don't you wash off the salt? If no, you are not doing your health
any good,
if yes what's the point.

Peel, pop into a jar until full, sprinkle the spice in and top up
with good
quality vinegar. Easy. No onions lying about, no salt contamination,

True. The salt comntamination has been replaced by acetic acid
contamination.


Two points on that, acetic acid is nowhere near the health risk of too much
salt and to pickle onions everyone uses vinegar anyway, so there is no worse
situation regarding acetic acid with either way of pickling.
We just don't see the point of the salt, commercial companies may use it to
speed maturing but why does a home pickler need to use it, we can leave ours
for as long as it takes, we are not tying up capital.

--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...

"Franz Heymann" wrote after ...

"Bob Hobden wrote ...

[snip]

Don't you wash off the salt? If no, you are not doing your
health
any good,
if yes what's the point.

Peel, pop into a jar until full, sprinkle the spice in and top
up
with good
quality vinegar. Easy. No onions lying about, no salt
contamination,

True. The salt comntamination has been replaced by acetic acid
contamination.


Two points on that, acetic acid is nowhere near the health risk of
too much
salt and to pickle onions everyone uses vinegar anyway,

Vinegar is flavoured acetic acid.
But you are probably right in suggesting that vinegar is less
dangerous than a pickling solution of salt.

so there is no worse
situation regarding acetic acid with either way of pickling.
We just don't see the point of the salt, commercial companies may
use it to
speed maturing but why does a home pickler need to use it, we can
leave ours
for as long as it takes, we are not tying up capital.

Actually I agree with you. I was only pulling your leg.

Franz

The message
from "Bob Hobden" contains these words:
"Phil L" wrote ...
Broadback wrote:

:: Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a
:: quart of tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing
:: pickling onions. 3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(
::

pickling onions and red cabbage is something I have done in the past, but
not for a while...

peel your onions as normal and lay them out on a large tray, sprinkle salt
over them (lots!) and leave them overnight, the next day pack them into
jars
and fill to the top with the vinegar of your choice.

Why? Why do you sprinkle salt over them, why do you leave them overnight to
attract bacteria etc?

Salt partially dehydrates the onions, which in turn reduces the dilution
of the vinegar you use, offering more protection from bacterial attack.


The salt removes some of the water from them, meaning that they soak the
vinegar in quicker...the same applies to red cabbage, chop it up and cover
with salt overnight.

Don't you wash off the salt? If no, you are not doing your health any good,
if yes what's the point.

Take your pick, and the point has been mentioned...

Peel, pop into a jar until full, sprinkle the spice in and top up with good
quality vinegar. Easy. No onions lying about, no salt contamination, do as
many jars as you want at a time. Leave for at least 6 weeks before eating
and after a year they are really good.
If you can peel them near an open window when there is a breeze so much the
better.

A little salt is necessary in the diet, and in any case, the amount you
will ingest by using it as a dessicant is way down towards the
negligible end of the scale.

Strangely, people in some of the countries which use a lot of salt in
the diet are amongst the healthiest. Japanese are a case in point. About
three times as much salt is consumed per person per (choose period of
time) as in the UK. High salt intake does not *INEVITABLY* lead to
raised blood-pressure.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

"Alan Gould" wrote in message
...
In article , Mike Lyle mike_lyle_uk@REMO
VETHISyahoo.co.uk writes
I've always been a two-soak practitioner. Sounds like a waste of
time, and perhaps it is; but if you dump them into the first brine
without bothering to skin them, next day you can just squeeze off the
skins and nick off the tops and tails without so many tears. Hands
still stink, though!

We don't 'two' soak. We drop peeled onions into brine, then drain them
well before preserving in spiced vinegar.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.
I always put my onions in a bowl and pour a kettle of boiling water over.
When cooled the pealing process is much easier.
Diane

In article , Alan Gould
writes
In article , Broadback
writes
Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

To prevent tears, peel the onions near to a running tap and peel them
from the top downwards. Drop them into salted water while you do the
others. That enhances their flavour, texture and keeping time.

Or, whistle constantly. You don't have to make a proer whistleing noise
- just pucker and blow:)

--
regards andyw

The message
from "Diane Epps" contains these words:

I always put my onions in a bowl and pour a kettle of boiling water over.
When cooled the pealing process is much easier.

That's for onion rings, Shirley?

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
The message
from "Diane Epps" contains these words:

I always put my onions in a bowl and pour a kettle of boiling
water
over. When cooled the pealing process is much easier.

That's for onion rings, Shirley?

Triple points to you, Grandsire!

Mike.

Jaques d'Alltrades wrote in message . uk...
The message
from "Diane Epps" contains these words:

I always put my onions in a bowl and pour a kettle of boiling water over.
When cooled the pealing process is much easier.

That's for onion rings, Shirley?

Triple points for that, Grandsire!

Mike.

The message
from "Mike Lyle" contains these words:
Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
The message
from "Diane Epps" contains these words:

I always put my onions in a bowl and pour a kettle of boiling
water
over. When cooled the pealing process is much easier.

That's for onion rings, Shirley?

Triple points to you, Grandsire!

Coo ta! I'll sew them on my gardening hat.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

The message
from Jaques d'Alltrades contains
these words:
The message
from "Mike Lyle" contains these words:
Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
The message
from "Diane Epps" contains these words:

I always put my onions in a bowl and pour a kettle of boiling
water
over. When cooled the pealing process is much easier.

That's for onion rings, Shirley?

Triple points to you, Grandsire!

Coo ta! I'll sew them on my gardening hat.

Or do I mean sow them?

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

Bob Hobden wrote:
:: "Phil L" wrote ...
::: Broadback wrote:
::::: Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a
::::: quart of tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing
::::: pickling onions. 3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(
:::::
:::
::: pickling onions and red cabbage is something I have done in the
::: past, but not for a while...
:::
::: peel your onions as normal and lay them out on a large tray,
::: sprinkle salt over them (lots!) and leave them overnight, the
::: next day pack them into jars and fill to the top with the vinegar
::: of your choice.
::
:: Why? Why do you sprinkle salt over them, why do you leave them
:: overnight to attract bacteria etc?
::
Attract bacteria? - they've just come out of the ground!
The salt removes some of the water in the onion, making the vinegar go in
further...seriously, if you eat an onion which has ben done this way you
will taste the difference.

:::
::: The salt removes some of the water from them, meaning that they
::: soak the vinegar in quicker...the same applies to red cabbage,
::: chop it up and cover with salt overnight.
::
:: Don't you wash off the salt? If no, you are not doing your health
:: any good, if yes what's the point.
::
The salt can be wiped off prior to bottling...the little bit that does go in
can't do you much harm.

:: Peel, pop into a jar until full, sprinkle the spice in and top up
:: with good quality vinegar. Easy. No onions lying about, no salt
:: contamination, do as many jars as you want at a time. Leave for at
:: least 6 weeks before eating and after a year they are really good.
:: If you can peel them near an open window when there is a breeze so
:: much the better.
::
Salt isn't a 'contaminant', unless you believe every cock-eyed story which
comes from Whitehall....you cannot survive without salt and the minute
amount from pickling will do no harm nor even be noticable.

Broadback wrote in message ...
Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

Peel them outside on a nice day. Wear marigolds to stop your hands
smelling. Leave twenty four hours in salt. The salt removes water from
the onions by osmosis. Wash off salt. The vinegar adds water by
osmosis. Result firm crunchy pickled onions.
Tony Bull www.caterpillarfountain.co.uk

"Tony Bull" wrote in message
m...
Broadback wrote in message
...
Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a
quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling
onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

Peel them outside on a nice day. Wear marigolds to stop your hands
smelling. Leave twenty four hours in salt. The salt removes water
from
the onions by osmosis. Wash off salt. The vinegar adds water by
osmosis. Result firm crunchy pickled onions.

It is unlikely that the direction of the osmotic flow in the case of
the vinegar is opposite to that in the case of the salt. In both
cases the excess concentration of solute is on the outside of the
onion.

As a matter of fact, if water removal is all that is achieved in the
salt stage, you might as well omit it, since the vinegar will also
remove water from the inside of the onion.

Franz

"Franz Heymann" wrote in message ...
"Tony Bull" wrote in message
m...
Broadback wrote in message
...
Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and a
quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling
onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

Peel them outside on a nice day. Wear marigolds to stop your hands
smelling. Leave twenty four hours in salt. The salt removes water
from
the onions by osmosis. Wash off salt. The vinegar adds water by
osmosis. Result firm crunchy pickled onions.

It is unlikely that the direction of the osmotic flow in the case of
the vinegar is opposite to that in the case of the salt. In both
cases the excess concentration of solute is on the outside of the
onion.

As a matter of fact, if water removal is all that is achieved in the
salt stage, you might as well omit it, since the vinegar will also
remove water from the inside of the onion.

Franz

I disagree.
Salt crystals are far more concentrated than the solutions in the
cells of the onion.
Removal of water concentrates these salts to a level higher than that
of the acetic acid solution in the vinegar so the vinegar adds water
to the cells thereby producing crunchy onions.
If you like soggy onions follow Franz's methods
Tony Bull www.caterpillarfountain.co.uk

"Tony Bull" wrote in message
om...
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...
"Tony Bull" wrote in message
m...
Broadback wrote in message
...
Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and
a
quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling
onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

Peel them outside on a nice day. Wear marigolds to stop your
hands
smelling. Leave twenty four hours in salt. The salt removes
water
from
the onions by osmosis. Wash off salt. The vinegar adds water by
osmosis. Result firm crunchy pickled onions.

It is unlikely that the direction of the osmotic flow in the case
of
the vinegar is opposite to that in the case of the salt. In both
cases the excess concentration of solute is on the outside of the
onion.

As a matter of fact, if water removal is all that is achieved in
the
salt stage, you might as well omit it, since the vinegar will also
remove water from the inside of the onion.

Franz

I disagree.
Salt crystals are far more concentrated than the solutions in the
cells of the onion.

Yes. I don't dispute that.

The same does for the vinegar.

Removal of water concentrates these salts to a level higher than
that
of the acetic acid solution in the vinegar

This is what I doubt. The acetic acid is much more highly
concentrated than the stuff inside the onion.
If the salt had removed the amount of water you would have to remove
in order to make the solution inside the onion more concentrated than
the acetic acid you subsequently intend to use, the onion would have
to have been shrivelled to less than half the volume normally occupied
by a turgid onion.

so the vinegar adds water
to the cells thereby producing crunchy onions.
If you like soggy onions follow Franz's methods

I have pickled hundreds of bottles of nice crunchy onions and shallots
which have not been subjected to the salt treatment

Franz

The message
from "Franz Heymann" contains these words:

As a matter of fact, if water removal is all that is achieved in the
salt stage, you might as well omit it, since the vinegar will also
remove water from the inside of the onion.

But by reducing the strength of the vinegar, it renders it more liable
to bacterial attack. (Even with the stronger pickling vinegars)

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

"Franz Heymann" wrote in message ...
"Tony Bull" wrote in message
om...
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...
"Tony Bull" wrote in message
m...
Broadback wrote in message
...
Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and
a
quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling
onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

Peel them outside on a nice day. Wear marigolds to stop your
hands
smelling. Leave twenty four hours in salt. The salt removes
water
from
the onions by osmosis. Wash off salt. The vinegar adds water by
osmosis. Result firm crunchy pickled onions.

It is unlikely that the direction of the osmotic flow in the case
of
the vinegar is opposite to that in the case of the salt. In both
cases the excess concentration of solute is on the outside of the
onion.

As a matter of fact, if water removal is all that is achieved in
the
salt stage, you might as well omit it, since the vinegar will also
remove water from the inside of the onion.

Franz

I disagree.
Salt crystals are far more concentrated than the solutions in the
cells of the onion.

Yes. I don't dispute that.

The same does for the vinegar.

Removal of water concentrates these salts to a level higher than
that
of the acetic acid solution in the vinegar

This is what I doubt. The acetic acid is much more highly
concentrated than the stuff inside the onion.
If the salt had removed the amount of water you would have to remove
in order to make the solution inside the onion more concentrated than
the acetic acid you subsequently intend to use, the onion would have
to have been shrivelled to less than half the volume normally occupied
by a turgid onion.

so the vinegar adds water
to the cells thereby producing crunchy onions.
If you like soggy onions follow Franz's methods

I have pickled hundreds of bottles of nice crunchy onions and shallots
which have not been subjected to the salt treatment

Franz

Likewise although my experience has been mainly with shallots.
Certainly when I wash the salt off the onions or shallots,they are
quite flaccid in the surface layer, indicating water loss. After a
minimum of two weeks in vinegar ( I can't wait any longer ) they are
quite turgid, indicating water replacement. Maybe a biochemist could
enlighten us both. Anyway Franz I am glad you are successful with
them. I never eat commercially prepared pickled onions as they are so
awful compared with my own.
Tony Bull
www.caterpillarfountain.co.uk

Martin wrote:
On 24 Sep 2004 10:06:40 -0700, (Tony
Bull) wrote:

"Franz Heymann" wrote in
message
...
"Tony Bull" wrote in message
om...
"Franz Heymann" wrote in
message
...
"Tony Bull" wrote in message
m...
Broadback wrote in message
...
Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife and
a
quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing pickling
onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

Peel them outside on a nice day. Wear marigolds to stop your
hands
smelling. Leave twenty four hours in salt. The salt removes
water
from
the onions by osmosis. Wash off salt. The vinegar adds water
by
osmosis. Result firm crunchy pickled onions.

It is unlikely that the direction of the osmotic flow in the
case
of
the vinegar is opposite to that in the case of the salt. In
both
cases the excess concentration of solute is on the outside of
the
onion.

As a matter of fact, if water removal is all that is achieved
in
the
salt stage, you might as well omit it, since the vinegar will
also
remove water from the inside of the onion.

Franz

I disagree.
Salt crystals are far more concentrated than the solutions in
the
cells of the onion.

Yes. I don't dispute that.

The same does for the vinegar.

Removal of water concentrates these salts to a level higher than
that
of the acetic acid solution in the vinegar

This is what I doubt. The acetic acid is much more highly
concentrated than the stuff inside the onion.
If the salt had removed the amount of water you would have to
remove
in order to make the solution inside the onion more concentrated
than the acetic acid you subsequently intend to use, the onion
would have to have been shrivelled to less than half the volume
normally occupied by a turgid onion.

so the vinegar adds water
to the cells thereby producing crunchy onions.
If you like soggy onions follow Franz's methods

I have pickled hundreds of bottles of nice crunchy onions and
shallots which have not been subjected to the salt treatment

Franz

Likewise although my experience has been mainly with shallots.
Certainly when I wash the salt off the onions or shallots,they are
quite flaccid in the surface layer, indicating water loss. After a
minimum of two weeks in vinegar ( I can't wait any longer ) they
are
quite turgid, indicating water replacement. Maybe a biochemist
could
enlighten us both. Anyway Franz I am glad you are successful with
them. I never eat commercially prepared pickled onions as they are
so
awful compared with my own.
Tony Bull
www.caterpillarfountain.co.uk

a local Dutch supermarket Conmar, flogged off a lot of large UK
jars
of pickled onions at a Euro a time. The catch being that the onions
were about 10 days from their sell by date. Being nostalgic for
real
English pickled onions I bought a jar.
a) I won't need a dentiist for a while all acid soluble deposits
have
been removed from my teeth
b) I had such severe stomach pains that I seriously thought I had
appendicitis or an ulcer and to go to the local hospital.
c) I'll stick to home made ones in future.

That's interesting: commercial pickles always seem far less acid than
home-made ones to me. They can even have sod. metabisulphite added as
a preservative ( I swear I can taste it), and are heat-treated. I
wonder if you were reacting to the sulphite: I seem to remember that
for some people there's some health risk.

Mike.

"Jaques d'Alltrades" wrote in
message k...
The message
from "Franz Heymann" contains
these words:

As a matter of fact, if water removal is all that is achieved in
the
salt stage, you might as well omit it, since the vinegar will also
remove water from the inside of the onion.

But by reducing the strength of the vinegar, it renders it more
liable
to bacterial attack. (Even with the stronger pickling vinegars)

When the chips are really down, I have my doubts if there is actually
much water removal from the onions with the use of either salt or
vinegar.
If a substantial amount of water had been removed, the onions would be
shrivelled and limp.

Franz

"Tony Bull" wrote in message
om...
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...
"Tony Bull" wrote in message
om...
"Franz Heymann" wrote in
message
...
"Tony Bull" wrote in message
m...
Broadback wrote in message
...
Having just spent a boring 50 minutes with a paring knife
and
a
quart of
tears I wonder if anyone has any tips for preparing
pickling
onions.
3lbs done and 3 to do. :-(

Peel them outside on a nice day. Wear marigolds to stop your
hands
smelling. Leave twenty four hours in salt. The salt removes
water
from
the onions by osmosis. Wash off salt. The vinegar adds water
by
osmosis. Result firm crunchy pickled onions.

It is unlikely that the direction of the osmotic flow in the
case
of
the vinegar is opposite to that in the case of the salt. In
both
cases the excess concentration of solute is on the outside of
the
onion.

As a matter of fact, if water removal is all that is achieved
in
the
salt stage, you might as well omit it, since the vinegar will
also
remove water from the inside of the onion.

Franz

I disagree.
Salt crystals are far more concentrated than the solutions in
the
cells of the onion.

Yes. I don't dispute that.

The same does for the vinegar.

Removal of water concentrates these salts to a level higher than
that
of the acetic acid solution in the vinegar

This is what I doubt. The acetic acid is much more highly
concentrated than the stuff inside the onion.
If the salt had removed the amount of water you would have to
remove
in order to make the solution inside the onion more concentrated
than
the acetic acid you subsequently intend to use, the onion would
have
to have been shrivelled to less than half the volume normally
occupied
by a turgid onion.

so the vinegar adds water
to the cells thereby producing crunchy onions.
If you like soggy onions follow Franz's methods

I have pickled hundreds of bottles of nice crunchy onions and
shallots
which have not been subjected to the salt treatment

Franz

Likewise although my experience has been mainly with shallots.
Certainly when I wash the salt off the onions or shallots,they are
quite flaccid in the surface layer, indicating water loss. After a
minimum of two weeks in vinegar ( I can't wait any longer ) they are
quite turgid, indicating water replacement. Maybe a biochemist could
enlighten us both. Anyway Franz I am glad you are successful with
them. I never eat commercially prepared pickled onions as they are
so
awful compared with my own.

That, at least, is something on which we agree.

Franz

Franz Heymann wrote:

"Jaques d'Alltrades" wrote in
message k...

The message
from "Franz Heymann" contains

these words:

As a matter of fact, if water removal is all that is achieved in

the

salt stage, you might as well omit it, since the vinegar will also
remove water from the inside of the onion.

But by reducing the strength of the vinegar, it renders it more

liable

to bacterial attack. (Even with the stronger pickling vinegars)


When the chips are really down, I have my doubts if there is actually
much water removal from the onions with the use of either salt or
vinegar.
If a substantial amount of water had been removed, the onions would be
shrivelled and limp.

Franz

Right, thanks for all the replies, this is the longest thread I have
ever started. I have pickled about half my onions using the salt
method, I will pickle the rest straight into the spiced vinegar, so I
will see if they are any different.
Let me have your address Franz, and if they are useless I'll send them
to you. ;-)