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Bullwhip Kelp Pickle Recipe

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Collecting bull kelp

Collecting bull kelp

So you have collected the stipes and blades of bullwhip kelp. Before you knew it the cooler or tote had quite a bit in it! The blades will be dried, and then crumbled to fit easily into jars. The stipes will make several batches of pickles with some left over to add to dinner.

The kelp does not need to be rinsed, but if you do, then just a very quick freshwater rinse is enough. For pickles, peeling is optional. We like the unpeeled variety. If you would like peeled pickles, then a carrot peeler works well. The kelp is slippery at this point, so, if you want, then you can slide the stipe over a dowel to help stabilize it for peeling. 

Get your canning supplies ready to go: 

  • A large pot with a lid to process the jars in, and enough water to cover the jars by at least an inch
  • A small pot half full of water to simmer the lids in
  • A large pot to boil the kelp mixture in
  • Colander  
  • Clean, hot pint and/or half-pint jars (keep hot in simmering water or in the oven)  This recipe fills about six pints or twelve half pints.
  • Ladle, spoons, canning funnel, jar grabber, towels to set jars on, lid magnet, cloth to wipe rims, hot pads

If you haven't canned before then please check with your extension service or a reference like the Ball Blue Book of Canning to learn the basics.

 

Bread and Butter Kelp Pickles:  

  • 3 quarts bull kelp stipe sliced into 1/4" to 1/2" thick "O's"
  • 2 large onions chopped or sliced
  • 1/4 cup canning salt
  • 1 pint vinegar 5% acidity
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon celery seeds
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine kelp and onion in a large bowl. Sprinkle with canning salt, stir the salt through the kelp and onion. Let stand for one hour.  Rinse well with fresh water.

Get your big pot of water for processing going so that it will be at a boil when your jars are packed. Put new, clean jar lids in the little pot, and start bringing them up to a simmer when you start boiling the kelp.