PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Pickled Asparagus image

Provided by Behr

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 11

30 asparagus spears
⅓ cup coarse salt
2 quarts cold water
1 ⅔ cups distilled white vinegar
⅔ cup sugar
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 ½ teaspoons dill seed
1 white onion, sliced into rings
½ teaspoon chili pepper flakes
2 sprigs fresh dill

Steps:

Trim the cut end of the asparagus spears, and cut them into 3 inch lengths. Place them in a large bowl with 1/3 cup salt, and cover with water. Let stand for 2 hours. Drain and rinse under cool water, and pat dry.
Sterilize two pint size wide mouth jars in simmering water for 5 minutes.
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, mustard seed, dill seed and onion rings. Bring to a boil, and boil for one minute.
Pack the asparagus spears, tips up, in the hot jars leaving 1/2 of space from the rim. Tuck one dill sprig into each jar, and sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Pour hot pickling liquid into the jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Wipe rims with a clean damp cloth, and seal with lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Cool to room temperature. Check seals when cool by pressing the center of the lid. It should not move. Label and date; store in a cool dark place. If any jars have not sealed properly, refrigerate and eat within two weeks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 41.4 calories, Carbohydrate 10.1 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 0.3 g, Sodium 2156.6 mg, Sugar 9.3 g