(not a poll) Would you eat this? (I don't mean the poll)

[Classical Country Mama]

Would you eat unopened jars of pickles* dated July 2009 you'd just discovered at the back of your pantry, that you vaguely remember your neighbor canning and very nicely sharing with you?

 

(And this neighbor will never know, either way. Our country grapevine is good, but not that good.)

 

 

 

 

 

* one dill, one sweet--not that it matters; I'm just impressed by people who know how to do that kind of magic with vegetables.

[2cents]

No. I'm kinda nervous about eating anything home canned anyway so that part did it for me.

[Mrs Mungo]

If it passed the looks/smell test? Then, I probably would. Pickling and canning are both preservation methods. If it was done correctly, then they can be safely eaten for a long time. Quality goes down over time, pickles will be softer, etc, but the safety is pretty much the same as when you can them.

[bbkaren]

If the lid "pops" when you open them, they're good to go; I'd eat them, without hesitation.

[Carpe]

If the lid "pops" when you open them, they're good to go; I'd eat them, without hesitation.

 

:iagree:

 

I would eat 5 year old pickles. After that probably not, but I've never had pickles last that long to test it.

[*********]

No. I'm kinda nervous about eating anything home canned anyway so that part did it for me.

 

Yeah, I'm with 2cents. The fact that it's home canned *and so past the expiration date, there's no WAY I'd eat it.

[Unicorn.]

If it passed the looks/smell test? Then, I probably would. Pickling and canning are both preservation methods. If it was done correctly, then they can be safely eaten for a long time. Quality goes down over time, pickles will be softer, etc, but the safety is pretty much the same as when you can them.

 

:iagree: If you are worried, go to the store, find a brand new jar of pickles, and then look at the expiration date. I bet it's more than 2 years!:lol:

[bbkaren]

Yeah, I'm with 2cents. The fact that it's home canned *and so past the expiration date, there's no WAY I'd eat it.

 

I believe 2009 isn't the expiration date; it's the year it was canned...and probably late in the season at that.

Most home canners don't put an "expiration date" on their food. That said, it should be good years from now.

[Carpe]

Yeah, I'm with 2cents. The fact that it's home canned *and so past the expiration date, there's no WAY I'd eat it.

 

That would not be the expiration date, it would be the date she canned it.

[Mrs Mungo]

Yeah, I'm with 2cents. The fact that it's home canned *and so past the expiration date, there's no WAY I'd eat it.

 

I believe 2009 isn't the expiration date; it's the year it was canned...and probably late in the season at that.

 

Most home canners don't put an "expiration date" on their food. That said, it should be good years from now.

 

:iagree: When you can something at home, you write the date you canned it on the jar, not an expiration date.

[Crafty Mathy Mom]

If the lid "pops" when you open them, they're good to go; I'd eat them, without hesitation.

 

They are probably safe to eat. A "pop" and the high acidity of the pickling brine would make contamination unlikely. The texture may be off. I don't enjoy mushy pickles.

[Carpe]

I believe 2009 isn't the expiration date; it's the year it was canned...and probably late in the season at that.

Most home canners don't put an "expiration date" on their food. That said, it should be good years from now.

 

You beat me! I must type slow.

[felicity]

I wouldn't. It's too old for me. But it also helps that I don't like pickles so it's not something that would tempt me even if brand new.:001_smile:

[fairfarmhand]

yes, if they were still sealed.

[bbkaren]

In fact, it takes some time before they really become tasty to begin with - "fresh" (unaged) pickles aren't as good IMO - better to give them a few months so they're fully steeped in pickly deliciousness!

[LizzyBee]

Absolutely. Properly canned food stays good for a very long time.

[twoforjoy]

I have a deep and abiding hatred of pickles, so no. I would never have let such an abomination into my home in the first place.

 

(I seriously do hate pickles to the point of actually feeling kind of sick around them. I have no idea why.)

[ereks mom]

If the lid "pops" when you open them, they're good to go; I'd eat them, without hesitation.

 

:iagree:

[Acorn]

Yes, I would eat them if I had trust in the preparer.

[LittleIzumi]

Absolutely! If I ate pickles, that is. :tongue_smilie: Something canned just two years ago is practically new :lol: as long as it pops when you open it!

[KristinaBreece]

We're still using jars of relish and apple butter canned in 2006 & 2007. As long as the seal was good, I'd absolutely go for it! (Ok, I'd eat the dill pickles, and let my littles eat the sweet ones-- Blech.)

[*********]

I believe 2009 isn't the expiration date; it's the year it was canned...and probably late in the season at that.

 

Most home canners don't put an "expiration date" on their food. That said, it should be good years from now.

 

:iagree: When you can something at home, you write the date you canned it on the jar, not an expiration date.

 

 

:blush: Yeah, I read too fast. I realize you'd put a 'date canned' not an 'expiration date' on something you canned at home.

 

In that case, I'd eat them. :D

[kiana]

I hate pickles.

 

But I have eaten canned food that was years old, as long as the seal was intact. I would consider pickles one of the safest.

[Slartibartfast]

NO but I am a bit crazy about that sort of thing.

[Classical Country Mama]

Thanks, everybody!

 

Normally I'm an I'll-eat-it kinda girl (cf the black bean fuzz some time back), so after your helpful comments I gave it a go.

 

But... it's a no-go. Taste is fine, I think, at least so far as I could tell before I gagged and spit it in the trash. The pickles are MUSH.

 

So this brings me to my final question on this topic: can anyone give me a recipe for dill picklish mush?

 

 

--oh, and btw, I listened very hard for a "pop," but it was sort of hard to hear much over my grunts while trying to pry the doggone lid off. I'm still not sure whether it did.

[bbkaren]

It's really (REALLY) hard to get nice, crispy pickles when you can them yourself.

 

Some say adding a grape leaf to each jar keeps their texture nice and firm.

 

Mine are always much softer than commercial pickles...but I'm used to it.

 

Glad you tried them at any rate!

 

p.s. Did you try both types? Different types of pickles are made separately so maybe the others are firmer...

 

If you don't have a lid lifter (most folks don't), a butter knife will pry the lid off - just hold the non-sharp side of the blade along the edge of the lid, then pull down on the knife handle, wedging the blade between the top thread of the jar and the edge of the metal lid - it'll pop right off.

Edited October 7, 2011 by bbkaren