Bread and butter pickles. The name itself conjures up images of summer picnics, overflowing relish trays, and that distinctive sweet and tangy flavor that dances on your tongue. But where does this curiously named condiment get its title? It’s a tale rooted in resourcefulness, a struggling family, and a clever solution to make ends meet. Let’s delve into the fascinating history of this beloved pickle and uncover the story behind its unusual moniker.
The Humble Origins of a Sweet Pickle
The story of bread and butter pickles isn’t one of grand culinary invention or royal patronage. Instead, it’s a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of ordinary people facing hardship. To understand the name, we need to travel back to the 1920s, a time of economic uncertainty for many Americans.
The Clausen Family and Their Pickle Predicament
Our story centers around the Clausen family, specifically Omar and Cora Fanning Clausen, who lived in Streator, Illinois. The Clausens, like many families during that era, faced financial difficulties. They owned a cucumber farm, but often struggled to sell their surplus crop. Cucumbers, while versatile, are highly perishable, and finding buyers before they spoiled was a constant challenge. Imagine fields overflowing with cucumbers, a potential source of income turning into a looming problem as the days passed.
Cucumbers to Cash: The Clausen’s Clever Solution
Faced with the prospect of wasting their valuable cucumber harvest, Cora Clausen devised a brilliant solution. She began pickling the excess cucumbers using a sweet and tangy brine recipe. This wasn’t your average dill pickle; Cora’s recipe incorporated sugar and spices that gave the pickles a distinctive flavor profile. The exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, passed down through generations, but the core ingredients of vinegar, sugar, turmeric, onion, and various spices are well-known.
Trading Pickles for Sustenance: Bread and Butter
Now came the crucial part: how to turn these pickled cucumbers into something the family could use. The Clausens started trading their sweet pickles with the local grocer in exchange for essential goods, most importantly bread and butter. These were staples that the family needed to survive. Imagine the scene: Cora Clausen presenting jars of her homemade pickles to the grocer, who in turn provided her with loaves of bread and creamy butter. This barter system became a lifeline for the Clausen family.
The Naming of a Culinary Icon
The exchange of pickles for bread and butter wasn’t just a transaction; it was the inspiration for the pickle’s name. The Clausens, recognizing the pivotal role bread and butter played in their survival, aptly named their creation “bread and butter pickles.” It was a simple, yet powerful, way to acknowledge the sustenance they gained from their pickle-making efforts.
The Clausen’s Trademark: A Legacy Begins
In 1923, the Clausens officially trademarked the name “bread and butter pickles,” solidifying their place in culinary history. While other sweet pickle recipes existed, the Clausens’ version, and their clever naming, captured the public’s imagination. The trademark protected their product and helped them build a successful business. They weren’t just selling pickles; they were selling a story of resilience and resourcefulness.
From Home Kitchen to Commercial Production
What started as a home-based solution to a surplus cucumber problem quickly evolved into a thriving commercial enterprise. The Clausens’ bread and butter pickles gained popularity, and demand grew. They expanded their operation, selling their pickles to a wider market. The bread and butter pickle had officially arrived, moving from a family’s survival strategy to a nationally recognized condiment.
The Flavor Profile: Sweet, Tangy, and Unique
The distinctive taste of bread and butter pickles is what sets them apart from other pickled cucumbers. The sweetness, balanced by the tang of vinegar and the warmth of spices, creates a flavor explosion that’s both refreshing and addictive.
The Key Ingredients: A Symphony of Flavors
The precise blend of ingredients varies slightly from recipe to recipe, but the core components remain consistent:
- Cucumbers: Typically thinly sliced, the cucumbers provide the foundation of the pickle.
- Vinegar: The primary pickling agent, vinegar contributes the essential tanginess.
- Sugar: Unlike dill pickles, bread and butter pickles rely on sugar to create their characteristic sweetness.
- Onions: Thinly sliced onions add a pungent and savory note.
- Turmeric: This spice provides a vibrant yellow color and a subtle earthy flavor.
- Spices: A blend of spices, often including mustard seed, celery seed, and sometimes cloves or allspice, adds complexity and depth.
The Pickling Process: Transforming Cucumbers into a Culinary Delight
The pickling process itself is crucial in creating the distinctive texture and flavor of bread and butter pickles. Typically, the cucumber slices are soaked in a brine solution to draw out excess moisture. This helps to create a firmer, crisper pickle. Next, the cucumber slices are combined with the vinegar, sugar, onions, and spices, and then heated to allow the flavors to meld together. Finally, the pickles are packed into jars and processed to ensure long-term preservation. The balance of time, temperature, and ingredients is vital in creating a perfect jar of bread and butter pickles.
Bread and Butter Pickles Today: A Timeless Classic
Decades after the Clausens first began trading their sweet pickles for bread and butter, these pickles remain a beloved condiment. Their unique flavor and fascinating history continue to resonate with people of all ages.
A Staple of American Cuisine
Bread and butter pickles have cemented their place as a staple in American cuisine. They’re a classic addition to sandwiches, burgers, and relish trays. Their sweet and tangy flavor complements a wide range of dishes, adding a touch of brightness and acidity. From simple grilled cheese sandwiches to elaborate charcuterie boards, bread and butter pickles have a place at the table.
Beyond the Jar: Creative Culinary Uses
Beyond their traditional uses, bread and butter pickles are finding their way into more creative culinary applications. Chefs and home cooks alike are experimenting with using them in unexpected ways, such as chopping them up and adding them to potato salad, using their brine as a marinade for chicken or pork, or even incorporating them into sweet and savory sauces. The possibilities are endless.
The Enduring Legacy of the Clausens
The story of the Clausen family and their bread and butter pickles is a reminder that even the most humble beginnings can lead to something extraordinary. Their ingenuity, resourcefulness, and dedication to quality transformed a simple solution to a problem into a culinary legacy that continues to be enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Each jar of bread and butter pickles is a testament to their enduring spirit and a reminder that sometimes, the simplest things in life are the sweetest. The next time you reach for a jar of bread and butter pickles, take a moment to appreciate the story behind the name – a story of a family, a farm, and a clever way to make ends meet.
Why are they called Bread and Butter Pickles?
The name “Bread and Butter Pickles” comes from a resourceful story during the Great Depression. According to legend, a couple named Omar and Cora Fanning, cucumber farmers in Illinois, were struggling to make ends meet. They had a surplus of small cucumbers and a creative idea to pickle them.
They traded these sweet and tangy pickles with their local grocer in exchange for essential staples like bread and butter, which were desperately needed during that era. This barter system led the grocer to start referring to them as “bread and butter pickles,” and the name stuck, even after they started commercially producing and selling them.
Are Bread and Butter Pickles different from other pickles?
Yes, Bread and Butter Pickles are distinct from other types of pickles, primarily due to their sweeter and milder flavor profile. While many pickles are sour and heavily seasoned with dill and garlic, Bread and Butter Pickles are characterized by a sweet-sour taste, often achieved through the addition of sugar and spices like mustard seed, turmeric, and celery seed.
The cucumber slices are also typically thinner than those used in dill pickles, contributing to a more delicate texture. This sweetness and subtle spicing makes them a popular choice for those who prefer a less intense pickle experience.
What ingredients are typically used in Bread and Butter Pickles?
The key ingredients in Bread and Butter Pickles are cucumbers, vinegar, sugar, and a blend of spices. Small to medium-sized cucumbers are sliced relatively thinly, providing a good surface area for absorbing the pickling brine. White or apple cider vinegar is the base for the tangy flavor, while sugar is added to create the signature sweetness.
Common spices include mustard seed, turmeric (which gives them a yellow color), celery seed, and sometimes peppercorns and onion. Variations exist, with some recipes including bell peppers for added flavor and texture. The specific proportions of these ingredients contribute to the unique flavor of each batch.
Where did Bread and Butter Pickle recipes originate?
While the Fannings popularized the name, similar sweet pickle recipes predate their story. Recipes for sweet pickled cucumbers existed in cookbooks and household collections from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These recipes often included similar ingredients to modern Bread and Butter Pickles, such as sugar, vinegar, and spices like mustard seed and turmeric.
The Fannings’ contribution was primarily in commercializing the pickles and establishing the catchy name that resonated with consumers during the Great Depression. They trademarked the “Bread and Butter Pickles” name, further solidifying its association with their specific product.
Are Bread and Butter Pickles a healthy snack option?
Bread and Butter Pickles can be a relatively low-calorie snack, but they should be consumed in moderation due to their high sugar content. Pickling the cucumbers preserves them, providing a source of fiber and certain vitamins and minerals naturally present in cucumbers. The fermentation process, if present, can also offer probiotic benefits.
However, the added sugar significantly increases the carbohydrate content. Individuals monitoring their sugar intake, such as those with diabetes, should be mindful of portion sizes. They also contain sodium, so those watching their salt intake should consider that as well.
How can you make Bread and Butter Pickles at home?
Making Bread and Butter Pickles at home is a relatively straightforward process that allows for customization of flavors. The basic steps involve slicing cucumbers thinly, combining them with onions and salt, and allowing them to sit for a few hours to draw out excess moisture. This helps prevent the pickles from becoming soggy.
Next, a brine is prepared using vinegar, sugar, and spices like mustard seed, turmeric, and celery seed. The cucumber mixture is then added to the brine and brought to a boil before being canned in sterilized jars using proper canning techniques to ensure safety and preservation. Many reliable recipes are readily available online and in cookbooks.
What are some popular ways to eat Bread and Butter Pickles?
Bread and Butter Pickles are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. They are a classic addition to sandwiches and burgers, providing a sweet and tangy counterpoint to savory flavors. They can also be served as a side dish with grilled meats, salads, or cheese platters.
Furthermore, they can be chopped and added to potato salad or tuna salad for an extra layer of flavor and texture. Some people even enjoy them straight from the jar as a snack. Their sweet and tangy taste makes them a popular choice for both children and adults.