Welcoming Summer with Pickled Eggs, Pickled Beans and Some Fruity Spirits

pickled eggs in a jar

I’ve been in a homey sort of mood lately, no doubt brought on by gorgeous Spring (now Summer!) days on our Australian goat farm and heaps of inspiring produce at the markets. It all looks so beautiful that I inevitably end up with more veggies and fruit than we can possibly eat.

Darling Downs bush

So I’ve been scouring preserving books for ideas on what to do with the copious amounts of eggs, beans and stone-fruits that we have on hand.

My first project was pickled eggs. I’ve never even eaten a pickled egg, let alone made one, but I was so intrigued by the idea of them, that I simply had to try it.

I was a little nervous because the only ones I’ve seen looked like a science experiment gone horribly wrong. Shudder. But by adding fennel sprigs and using colored peppercorns, they turned out much prettier than anticipated.

pickled eggs in a jar

Next up were pickled green beans. My Mum used to make these when I was a girl, and I loved them!!! When I was a kid I never got caught stealing cookies or candy or even ice cream, but I was very guilty of nipping entire jars of homemade pickles and eating everything, even the cloves of garlic.

I made a pickled green bean recipe with chilies and garlic and dill weed, and I love how they look together. I can’t wait to try them in a week or two.

pickled beans in a jar

This week I’m working making Plum Spirits and perhaps some Peach Spirits as well. I will let you know how they turn out! 🙂

What are your favorite pickles?

Pickled Eggs Recipe

Ingredients:

8-10 boiled eggs (depending on size of jar)
1-2 cups white wine vinegar (depending on size of jar)
1/4 tsp rainbow peppercorns
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp caraway seeds
4-5 fennel sprigs

Directions:

  1. Shell eggs, rinse and dry.
  2. Pack into sterilized jar(s).
  3. Tuck fennel sprigs around eggs.
  4. Combine remaining ingredients in saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and cool.
  6. When cool, pour over eggs, seal and let sit for two weeks in cool dark place before eating.

Pickled Beans Recipe

Ingredients:

2 handfuls green beans, washed and trimmed
2 heads dill weed
1-2 red chilies, halved, seeded and sliced
3-4 garlic cloves, peeled
2 cups white wine vinegar

Directions:

  1. Blanche beans for 1 minute, drain and plunge into ice water immediately. Remove and let dry.
  2. Pack beans into one large sterilized jar or two small ones.
  3. Tuck dill weed into jar.
  4. Combine remaining ingredients in saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and cool.
  6. When cool, pour over beans, seal and let sit for two weeks in cool dark place before eating.

Fall Happenings on an Australian Goat Farm

dried dill

Life’s been busy here on our goat farm with babies growing and mamas about to give birth any minute.

It’s hard to believe that only 10 months ago Felix and Gus were gangly little boys and now they’re almost men.

goats feeding

We’ve had a lot of company recently and that’s been great fun! We love sitting on the back porch with good friends, eating food and talking for hours.

I (Krista) have been taking a lot of walks on these gorgeous Autumn days. Our dogs Luna and Fletcher love going for gallops through the tall grasses, startling kangaroos and having the time of their lives.

I love all the interesting flowers and fruits here in Australia. So very different from my native Canada. And I can’t get over these long, warm days. So different from the snow and ice I’d normally be seeing if I were back in British Columbia or Washington State.

I’ve been in a baking sort of mood, churning out crusty loaves of bread and beautifully browned pies stuffed with caramelized fruit. I love how good the house smells after such ventures AND how gorgeous the baked goods look cooling in the glow of late afternoon sunshine.

dried dill

This weekend I’m off to Brisbane to learn cheese-making from my dear friend Ann from thisANNthat. We’re so excited about our trip, mostly because we also get to visit my dear friend Barbara from Winos and Foodies. I love Girls Days Out.

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

Summer On Our Queensland Farm

Australian Sacred Grove

We’re well into Autumn now at Citadel Kalahari, but the weather has been so gorgeous you’d swear it was still summer!

Australian bush

The meadow grasses aren’t quite as green now. They’ve mellowed to a rich gold but are still sprinkled with wildflowers that are still blooming in spite of a few wild wind storms.

 

meadow in Australia

Wandering through the bush with our dogs Fletcher and Luna is a never-ending delight. Every time we don our wellies and head out for a trek we discover new beauties whether it’s a bush festooned with airy blossoms or a tree dripping with unknown fruit.

 

Australian flowering bushes

My favorite place is what we’ve dubbed The Sacred Grove. It is a natural circle of trees that is a sun-dappled oasis far enough from the goats and neighbors to be truly peaceful and serene.

Australian Sacred Grove

What is your favorite spot where you live?