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Vinegar · From Bladwijzer

Pickled ash keys

Updated on 9 October 2026

• Makes: 1 jar of 350 ml
• Time: 45 min + 1 month maturing
• From: Ash

Ingredients

• 150 g young green ash keys
• 300 ml cider or white wine vinegar
• 50 g sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 5 peppercorns and 2 cloves
• 1 bay leaf

Method

1. Pull the keys off their stalks and rinse them.
2. Boil them in water for 10 minutes, drain, change the water and boil for another 10 minutes. This removes some of the bitterness.
3. Meanwhile, bring the vinegar, sugar, salt and spices to the boil and leave to infuse for 5 minutes.
4. Put the drained keys in a clean, hot jar and pour over the boiling vinegar until everything is covered.
5. Seal at once and leave to mature for at least a month.

Storing: Unopened, a year in a cool, dark place; once opened, in the fridge. Use them like capers, sparingly.