The not-so-humble pickle is set to become the star of many a menu as several New Zealand eateries pay their own homage to America’s National Pickle Day.
November 14 makes National Pickle Day in the US, and to celebrate special dishes will be available at eateries across Auckland and the Waikato, from today until November 21.
Working with Detroit-based McClure’s Pickles to produce their own special take on the popular pickle for the big day eateries including Lowbrow, Hallertau, Augustus Bistro, Best Ugly Bagels, Burger Burger, Citizen Park, Culprit, the Fed Deli, Major Sprout, Winner Winner (Hamilton) and Hazel Hayes (Hamilton) are set to give pickle aficionados a real treat.
Popular Auckland eatery Lowbrow has created their own spectacular dish to honour the occasion – Nacho Fried Pickles – which sees sweet, spicy sliced pickles battered in corn chip tempura and served with hot nacho cheese sauce.
Meanwhile, out in the city’s west, Hallertau is brewing up a McClure’s Pickle Burger Extreme. Not for the faint of heart, it features a pickle bun with five pickle elements, and served with potato chunkies topped with pickle salt and beer battered deep fried McClure’s Pickles.
McClure’s Pickles co-founder Joe McClure says he’s looking forward to seeing New Zealand’s pickle lovers coming together to enjoy their favourite snack.
“America’s National Pickle Day works to bring more attention to the heritage, tradition and sheer joy of the beloved spiced gherkin, and we’re sure many Kiwis will want to get in on that action too,” he says.
“At McClure’s, we could quite happily eat pickles for breakfast, lunch and dinner – and we’re encouraging everyone else to try the same!”
The term ‘pickle’ comes from the Dutch word ‘pekel’, which means brine. Pickles have been enjoyed for thousands of years, dating back as far as 2030 BC. They’ve been mentioned in both the Bible and in Shakespeare’s work – and Cleopatra is rumoured to have put her famous beauty down to a diet of pickles. By 2020 the industry is expected to be worth USD $12.74, with India being the dills’ biggest exporter.
Pickles these days are not just the topping on your favourite sandwich or burger, rather in the US you can find the pickle in various forms from deep-fried pickles to dill pickle chips, pickle popcorn, pickle pops, pickle juice sports drinks and even pickle juice slushies.
