Ice Plant ‘Gherkins’

Recipe by Luke Jefford

Probably the closest thing we’ve made from wild ingredients that resembles Nikki’s much loved gherkins. ‘Hottentot fig’ is its most common name (although regarded as racist), so we prefer to call them ‘ice plant’. The leaves themselves are quite astringent raw, but after a little bit of processing they become the most amazing pickle!

Ingredients

• 250g leaves

• Table salt

• 250g White wine vinegar

• 100g Honey

• 100g Caster sugar

• 1 Pinch chilli flakes

• 2 Cloves

• 1 Tsp caraway seeds

Method

Step 1

Bring a pan of water to the boil and place the leave inside for 2 minutes. Strain.

Step 2

Pop in a bowl and toss in a few pinches of table salt. Cover with cold water and leave for 6 hours. Repeat the step 1 & step 2 once more and strain off any excess water.

Step 3

Bring all ingredients to (except the leaves) to a boil and pour the hot pickling liquor over the leaves.

Step 4

Place them into air-tight containers or jars and enjoy!