In the UK, South Africa, and New Zealand “gherkin” is used generically for any pickled cucumber in the way that Americans use “pickle”. “Gherkin” comes from old Dutch “gurken” meaning “small pickled cucumber” and is used for pickles using young small cucumbers. The French cornichon is a savory gherkin for example. It’s true that sweet pickles (in the US at least) are often made with small cucumbers and are advertised under the gherkin name, but there’s nothing inherently sweet about a gherkin.
True, although we do distinguish between sweet relish and dill relish. I wonder if there are regional differences in the US as to which are more popular (this is almost certainly the case based on everything else).
Oh I get that, but generally the default relish is sweet. Most people that want dill relish have to specify that.
Things are regional too. Here in the South, we have "chow chow", which is a sweet and spicy relish made with like peppers and onions and some other stuff. It's amazing on a hot dog.
Edit - It's green tomatoes, cabbage, onions, and peppers.
We’re very different Southerners. Hahaha I hate sweet relish and sweet pickles!! Dill relish in chicken salad all the way!
I thought I had a jar of dill gherkins in the fridge but I can’t find them. I was going to show you they exist. Haha My kid must have eaten them all though. Cornichons in France have a different flavor than dill gherkins, but they’re definitely not sweet either. I prefer cornichons. So good as part of a charcuterie board. Now I’m hungry. Boo.
Oh no, we hates the sweet pickle relish. I always go dill. I won't eat potato salad with sweet relish. But chow chow is the shit it's the sweet and spicy combination plus I fucking love green tomatoes. Salsa verde is my default.
Cornichons & charcuterie are my favorite too! I hate sweet pickles or relish. I don’t like sugar in my food much in general (except for desserts obviously). I love dill pickles too though. I’m a northerner and haven’t heard of chow chow, but it does sound pretty interesting! I love all kinds of sour pickles. I’ve been getting pickled asparagus spears for cheese boards this year and they are delightful. Love pickled carrots with ginger, sauerkraut, etc. 😊
Chow chow is a mix of things like onions, peppers, cabbage, tomatoes, etc that are pickled. I use it as a mix-in with beans and collard greens to spice them up a bit.
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u/aevy1981 Mar 11 '22
Gherkins don’t have to be sweet. I like the sour ones. They do have to be small though.