Pine Needle Vinegar Recipe

Posted on by Scott

Winter has arrived and I’ve entered hibernation mode. Unlike a month or so ago where I was out foraging for pretty much everything I could lay my hands on, natures bounty is now rapidly dwindling away.

Pine Needles

Pine Needles

So, it was in this frame of mind that I stumbled across a recipe yesterday for Pine Needle Vinegar over on the fantastic The Cottage Smallholder blog. This in turn led me to the perhaps even more fantastic Eat Weeds blog, where it seems this recipe originates. It immediately caught my eye because while I haven’t used pine needles in cooking before, I have remarked how the smell reminds me of rosemary which is one of my favourite herbs due to its pungent aroma.

Pine Needle Vinegar

Pine Needle Vinegar. Behind and to the left is a bottle of my equally delicious Sea Buckthorn Vinegar.

I can’t comment on how it tastes yet as I have to leave it for a good 6 weeks – this will make it seasonally ready to use just in time for Christmas. According to Eat Weeds it gains a richness similar to balsamic vinegar and is great with fish. They also say it makes a great winter drink to fend of colds; one for those not put off by vinegar aromas, methinks!

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Recipe: Pine Needle Vinegar

Summary: Pine Needle Vinegar has a deep aroma and is great served with fish. It makes a great addition to your foraging recipe collection, too.

Ingredients

  • 500ml Cider Vinegar
  • Handful of washed and dried Pine Needles
  • 3 tbsp Brown Sugar

Method

  1. Start by sterilising a 500ml jar or bottle. The way I do this is to wash in hot soapy water, then rinse and leave till dry in an oven at around 130 degrees c.
  2. While the bottle is sterilising, bring the cider vinegar to the boil in a saucepan and immediately turn off the heat. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
  3. Remove the bottle from the oven and pack it full of pine needles; you’ll be able to squeeze in a lot more than you think!
  4. When the vinegar has cooled to be warm rather than hot, pour this into the bottle within just a couple of mm of the rim, then seal with a vinegar proof lid.
  5. Leave for approximately 6 weeks in a dark place then use when desired.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Cooking time: 5 minute(s)

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  • Kate Zeller

    I’ve always loved the smell, too.  Anxious to hear how it tastes.  Then I can go in search of a pine tree. ;-)

    • http://www.realepicurean.com/ Scott

      I found one while walking the dog and couldn’t resist. You don’t need much.

  • http://www.backtothechoppingboard.com James

    Pine Needle Vinegar – im not sure about that one.  Looking forward to hearing how it tastes. 

    • http://www.realepicurean.com/ Scott

      I’m sure I’ll find a use for it by Christmas. I’ll be sure to tweet an update.

  • anonymous

    Can’t say I’ve cooked with pine needles, but I have chewed them before.  It involved a boy.  Our dads were setting up deer stands in the woods.  He said they were a good source of vit C.  Don’t remember what they tasted like ( I was maybe 8), but I don’t think they were bad.

    • http://www.realepicurean.com/ Scott

      I’ve had a nibble.  A little too bitter to eat but I can see how the taste could work infused into something else.

  • http://twitter.com/KaveyF Kavita

    What an intriguing idea, bookmarking, thanks!

    • http://www.realepicurean.com/ Scott

      You’re welcome! Let me know of you try it.

  • The Dinner Belle

    I am so curious as to how this will taste.  Please be sure to let us know in 6 weeks and what you think it is best used for.  Do you think it might pair well with steak?

    • http://www.realepicurean.com/ Scott

      I think so, possibly on a watercress salad served alongside.  I’m also thinking about doing a Pine Needle Sugar this weekend.  We’ll see.

  • http://theamericaine.blogspot.com The Americaine

    This sounds very christmasy! I wonder what it would be best on? I’d love to try it out with some different salad recipes. 

    • http://www.realepicurean.com/ Scott

      Well anything with pomegranate seems to work really well at Christmas (I did this one a couple of years back: http://www.realepicurean.com/2009/12/christmas-salad-of-feta-and-pomegranate/).  Wonder if it would work in there somewhere?

  • Pingback: Pine Needle Infused Sugar Recipe | RealEpicurean.com

  • shaheen

    Looking forward to reding about the final result. 

    I like the Eat Weeds site – fab isn’t it.

    • http://www.realepicurean.com/ Scott

      It is!  There’s always something on there I haven’t tried (or even thought of) before.

  • http://twitter.com/KaveyF Kavita

    Yah I saw that post too and have it bookmarked to make one day, though no tree this year so not yet. Concerned about pesticides etc on trees grown for decoration only, so want to find out more…

    • http://www.realepicurean.com/ Scott

      Ah well I picked pine needles from a tree in the local woods while walking the dog.  No pesticides there, at least I hope so!