Where do you find creative inspiration? When Annie, Cindy, and I decided to do posts on homemade gifts I started looking around for inspiration. A vintage relish fork inspired this post on “Gourmet Pickled Carrots.”
My daughter, Alexandra said that several restaurants in Los Angeles are serving relish trays again at the start of a meal. As a child going to restaurants with my mom and dad, I remember that was a common thing to see.
And now they are trendy again…so let’s hop on that sort-of healthy trend. Create gourmet pickled carrots with heirloom carrots from Trader Joe’s for a relish tray. And to give as a homemade gift in a jar!
There are more homemade gifts for you to consider by some great bloggers at the end of the post.
Recipe For Gourmet Pickled Heirloom Carrots
This makes enough for six 16 ounce mason jars. I researched several recipes and settled on a combination of Delish and David Lebowitz’ recipes. Howard said last night “Mares, I love these carrots!”
Note that since these are quick and easy (not actually “canned”), they need to be refrigerated after making.
These delicious pickled carrots use colorful carrots from Trader Joe's. They are nice on a relish tray or with a sandwich. These also make a nice homemade gift. This makes enough for six 16 oz mason jars.
- 3 lbs (three bags) Trader Joe's Les Petites Carrots
- 3 3/4 cups water plus water for parboiling the carrots before pickling
- 3 cups cider vinegar
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 6 garlic cloves, lightly-crushed
- 6 tbs salt
- 6 or more bay leaves, 1 to 2 per jar
- 6 to 12 fresh dill sprigs
- 1 tbs pickling spice
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In a pot over medium-low heat, toast pickling spices until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add in vinegar, water, sugar, and salt; increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Once sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat.
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Pack carrot sticks and garlic into sterilized jars and pour vinegar solution over. Tuck in the bay leaves and fennel. Seal jar, refrigerate, and let sit at least 12 hours before serving.
Keep refrigerated for up to four weeks.
Jar Labels
I had some old Avery labels and looked up the template online to print custom labels. It was easy.
Ribbon Band
Black velvet ribbon from Target is attached with a few drops from a glue gun to keep it more secure.
Vintage Hotel Silver Relish Forks
Annie and I visited Elsie Green when she was here. Elsie Green procures all things European vintage and is just a drive away to the East Bay for me (or you could shop online).
It’s where I saw some silver-plated vintage relish forks. Adding a relish fork to your gift is a nice touch (but you don’t have to as the jar is nice on its own). I purchased mine at Elsie Green and I have seen them online at Pottery Barn, too.
More about Elsie Green with Annie’s post here.
Relish Tray With Chipped Ice
Here’s one way to display your pickled carrots with other vegetables such as snap peas, cucumbers, radishes and olives.
And that’s how to make Gourmet Pickled Carrots For A Simple Homemade Gift!
Sicilian Sea Salt Little Presents
Our family is hooked on Sicilian Sea Salt that I made a few years ago. It’s still a winner! So easy.
Other Homemade Gifts To Inspire You
Let’s check out what these ladies have for us!
First, these are gorgeous and clever, second, I’m behind on my usual baking frenzy and my food gifts will be spilling in the weeks before and possibly after New Years – these will be a great New Year gift, delicious, and no chance of sabotaging anyone’s resolutions. I think I’ll make some refrigerator pickles to accompany them and get on board with the reintroduction of the relish tray. I love how they elevate a simple meal. Merry Christmas, thanks so much for all you share.
What a beautiful gift, so bright and I’m sure delicious too! Thank you for this fun idea.
Thanks, Gail…they are tasty!
These are SO pretty and so different! I always think of “sweet” when thinking holiday foodie gifts; love that you did something savory – and so pretty and colorful too!
Thanks, Sheri!!
Mary Ann this was a fabulous idea! I absolutely love pickled carrots and this recipe sounds like a winner. I used to have a bowl in the fridge when the kids were little. They loved them. I am going to try your recipe. The vintage fork idea is the pies de resistance! So clever! What a fun gift.
Thanks, Cindy…they make carrots even better!
Mary Ann,
First I love knowing that I was in on the fun part of this idea while shopping at Elsie Green! I knew they would be beautiful, but they are even prettier than I had imagined. The colors are so vibrant combined with the silver and velvet, perfection! And on-trend according to your fashionable daughter, Alexandra!
xx
It was so fun having you here, Annie. You inspire me every day! LOVE your gift ideas.
Adorable and festive homemade gift – I love these and the pretty fork makes it so special! Thank you for the inspiration.
Thanks, Amy!