When it doubt, pickle it.
Not just for cucumbers anymore, pickling is fast becoming an artisan food trend, with crisp, briny delicacies popping up at gourmet grocery stores, farmers’ markets and other spots fine foods are sold. Looking for a local peck of pickled perfection? Here are our picks:
Crisp & Co.
Founded in 2012 and based out of Hockessin, De., these artisan pickle purveyors have been on a meteorite rise since beating out competitors from all over the world to win second place in 16th annual International Pickle Festival with their Sweet Ginger Pickles. The secret very well could be in the science—Crisp & Co.’s founder Thomas Peter, a scientist and molecular gastronomer, has a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Cornell University. Look for their Victory Pint Pickles, a collaborative beer pickle featuring Victory Brewing Company’s Prima Pils, at DiBruno Brothers, Terrain, Talula’s Table and select stores in northern Delaware.
Lancaster Pickle Co.
This family-owned business keeps quality at the forefront with a simple, healthy and all-natural pickling process using only the freshest cukes. Jason and Kate, the people behind the pickles, are totally dedicated to their product and take each and every pickle seriously. Lancaster Pickle Co. offers its crispy, flavorful pickles to both wholesale and retail customers; look for them at York’s Central Market and Eastside Market at Musser Park in Lancaster.
Epic Pickles
“Yeah, that good.” A bold claim, but completely on the mark when it comes to Epic Pickles’ dills, string beans, asparagus, okra and cauliflower. Each variety also comes in a “spicy” version, something near and dear to the hot-to-handle among us here at PA Eats. Epic Pickles is based out of York, Pa., but you can find these fabulous pickled veggies all around the Philadelphia area at both retail locations and restaurants and online. Find out where.
Dynamite Dill
Admittedly picky about pickles, Dynamite Dill’s founder Anne B. Williams went from everyone’s favorite home pickle chef to public pickle purveyor in 2004. Dynamite Dill pickles are all-natural and handmade, using only the best ingredients, freshest spices, whole cloves of garlic, and Kirby pickling cucumbers to create five different varieties with full-on flavor. Peruse the online store (with sauces, marinades and T-shirts, too!), and be sure to visit the Dynamite Dill website for some fabulous pickle recipes.
Food and Ferments
Owners Carly and Dave Dougherty created Food and Ferments to bring nourishing, tangy, lacto-fermented food and drinks back to the dinner table. One goal of the Philadelphia-based company: to renew and revitalize time-honored food traditions that also promote good health. And so they do, deliciously! Products, including sauerkrauts, seasonal kimchis, kombucha and beet kvass, can currently be found every Saturday at the Rittenhouse Farmers’ Market in Philadelphia.
- Crisp & Co. photo: Crisp & Co.
- Lancaster Pickle Co. photo: Lancaster Pickle Co.
- Epic Pickles photo: Pickle Freak
- Dynamite Dill photo: Dynamite Dill
- Food and Ferments photo: Food and Ferments
