pickling onions

[Lottiegirl]

help please , Have got onions ready for going in jar but had sudden thought can i use plastic sweet jar as glass jar broke . will plastic taint thanks

[collette62]

Yes it should be alright!

[Clanad]

Here's the thing... at least here in the U.S. when I pickle onions, the liquid that's poured over them (vinegar, etc.) is hot and then the jar(s) require immersion in a boiling water bath for about 20 minutes or so. When complete the special lids used for canning have a small nipple-like raised area in the center so that, as the jars cool, the outside airpressure "pings" this raised area downwards to announce that the jar has sealed correctly. With a plastic jar, the sides would more than likely collapse inwards due to the same airpressure differential and not allow a good seal. This could lead to botulism or mold... not a good thing, no?

[hc4361]

Clanad, if you want crunchy pickled onions, all liquids must be cold. The vinegar and the brine are natural preservatives.

[jomifl]

I have pickled onions on many ocasions over the years and gave up the recipes in the cookery books as they are ridiculously overcomplicated.Just put the onions in a jar, put in a thimbleful of pickling spices per pound and top up to the brim with ordinary vinegar of your choice (spiced vinegar is not necessary). Just make sure that there is as little air in the jar as possible (narrow necked jars are best for this) and that the lid is air tight and has a protective coating otherwise the acetic acid will corrode the lid.

[babybop6379]

my nan used to pickle the best onions just in time for christmas such a taste i miss since she died a couple of years back, she always used cold liquid and the jar she used was an old stoneware urn with brown paper tied over with an elastic band we used to be sooo excited when we had our chrimbo delivery of her home made bread pudding, jam, coconut cake and onions!!!!! yummy :) xxxxx