Pickle bouquets: salty perfection for your love connection

By Austin Bailey

February 10, 2020

an array of pickle bouquets
Heifer staffers tried their hand at crafting bespoke pickle bouquets. Which is your favorite?

In This Article

  • Flowers and chocolate are wonderful, but they've been done to death. Maybe it's time for something new.
  • Make this Valentine's Day a zero-waste event with an edible arrangement of all things pickled.
  • Pickle bouquets are easy to make, and you can eat them!
  • Your significant other is sure to think you're a big dill.

Forget generic and pricey hothouse flowers. A pickle bouquet is the token of love your significant other wants for Valentine’s Day 2020. We’re here to help you craft your own salty, vinegary arrangement that’s both affordable and unforgettable.

Step 1: Gather materials

When shopping for pickle bouquet supplies, be sure to choose firm, crisp pickles that will hold their shape when prodded and pierced. And don’t limit yourself to pickled cucumbers. You can pickle pretty much anything! So select pickled products of various colors, shapes and sizes to add visual interest. Don’t neglect the humble gherkin, which can help fill in small gaps. Be prepared to personalize your arrangement by arming yourself with her favorite olive or his favorite pepperoncinis.

Components of a pickle bouquet.
Gather a variety of pickles and garnishes for your bouquet.

You’ll also need sticks to serve as stems. Wooden grilling skewers work great here.

A regular vase is nice, but you can also use a mason jar or any drinking cup, really.

 Step 2: Set up your workstation

You’ll need clean hands and a clean workspace to craft your pickle bouquet. Also, a knife. Open a window if weather allows, because the scent of these vinegary valentines can get overwhelming fast.

 Step 3: Slice and skewer

This is where the personalization comes in. Flay pickled okra lengthwise to make miniature octopuses. Try your hand at winding carrot slivers or dill pickle coins into rose and carnation shapes. Or go simple by stacking a half-dozen kebobs of various pickled vegetables and arranging them artfully in a jar.

putting pickles together
Add cherry tomatoes for an easy pop of color.

 Step 4: Finishing touches

Fill any glaring holes with parsley sprigs, tie on a bow and your brine-soaked bouquet is ready to go.

 But don’t forget the extras. Tipplers might like to use their pickle skewers as garnishes in a gigantic bloody mary, so bundle your pickle bouquet with appropriate mixers and spirits. Foodies might prefer an accompaniment of cheese and crackers.