Bargain alert for all you picklers and preservers

[Docb]

ALDI have currently on offer medium sized jars of Pickled Gherkins at 99p. The gherkins are very good but the bargain is the jar.

The jar is the next size up from standard jam jars and quite perfect for pickles, kimchi, marmalade and the like. I defy anybody to buy jars of that size for 99p let alone getting some free gherkins into the bargain.

 

[CliffH]

ALDI have currently on offer medium sized jars of Pickled Gherkins at 99p. The gherkins are very good but the bargain is the jar.

The jar is the next size up from standard jam jars and quite perfect for pickles, kimchi, marmalade and the like. I defy anybody to buy jars of that size for 99p let alone getting some free gherkins into the bargain.

I love gherkins 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Excellent tip @Docb

 

[Lisa65]

I buy the cornichons from Lidl which come in a nice big jar. Unfortunately the only way I can open them is by stabbing the lid to release the vacuum, so I can't reuse them.

 

[saffron15]

I love gherkins too. I don't eat much red meat but a roll with salt beef gherkins and mustard is a treat.

 

[Leadinglights]

I buy the cornichons from Lidl which come in a nice big jar. Unfortunately the only way I can open them is by stabbing the lid to release the vacuum, so I can't reuse them.

You shouldn't need to stab the lid, just get a strong point like a screwdriver and put under the edge of the lid and lever up or twist. It should release the vacuum without damaging the lid.

 

[Lisa65]

You shouldn't need to stab the lid, just get a strong point like a screwdriver and put under the edge of the lid and lever up or twist. It should release the vacuum without damaging the lid.

I'll give it a go!

 

[debs248]

Cheap ham can be transformed by spreading a little mustard and/ or mayo on each slice and wrapping it around a gherkin

 

[rebrascora]

@Lisa65 A pair of washing up gloves has never failed to take a lid off a tightly sealed jar for me. They just give you the extra grip you need.
I too buy the big jars of Lidl cornichons.

 

[debs248]

@Lisa65 A pair of washing up gloves has never failed to take a lid off a tightly sealed jar for me. They just give you the extra grip you need.
I too buy the big jars of Lidl cornichons.

I often use a single washing up glove. If that doesn't work, tapping the rim of the lid gently, increasing the force of the blow until the vacuum breaks. I use either mole grips or a hammer, which live in the kitchen for reasons that are way too off-topic, even by my standards.

 

[Lisa65]

@Lisa65 A pair of washing up gloves has never failed to take a lid off a tightly sealed jar for me. They just give you the extra grip you need.
I too buy the big jars of Lidl cornichons.

I have a weak grip because of arthritis in my fingers, unfortunately

 

[debs248]

Only slightly off-topic, I was trying to find a photo my daughter took just after she started uni and found this as well - one of her first meals

 

[Ieva DUK]

Another way to force the vacuum release is to flip any glass container upside down and give it a whack at the centre of the bottom. I used to use my elbow (not advisable) over a tea towel, but essentially any non-sharp thing (i.e. rolling pin) could do the trick.

 

[Lisa65]

Only slightly off-topic, I was trying to find a photo my daughter took just after she started uni and found this as well - one of her first mealsView attachment 35881

Delicious! I have a couple of gherkins most days at lunch time along with a handful of black olives.