A Pickle Sickle™ is exactly what it sounds like: a frozen food treat made from the juice of freshly squeezed pickles, mixed with their brine. The result is a savory, refreshing frozen food which might sound rather bizarre to people who are not acquainted with the delights of pickle brine, or to those who associate “frozen treat” with something sweet. The Pickle Sickle™ comes from Texas, a state where people happen to be extremely fond of pickle brine, and it is a natural extension of an already existing Texan treat, a shaved ice drizzled with pickle juice.
Pickle brine is a tart, flavorful liquid which many people reject once they've finished a container of pickles. However, some aficionados like to drink the brine, use it in mixed drinks, or add it to various recipes, harnessing the intense burst of tart flavor. For fans of pickle brine, this is a perfectly normal and in fact pleasurable activity, although many people find the concept of drinking pickle brine totally incomprehensible and even a bit revolting.
John Howard of Seguin, Texas, is responsible for packaging the Pickle Sickle™, also known as Bob's Pickle Pop™, and shipping it to pickle juice fans around the world. Pickle Sickles™ come in room temperature blister packs which are designed to be stuck in the freezer. After a night of freezing, the pickle juice inside has solidified into a form of popsicle, which can be squeezed out of the package. The end result is tart and briny, and it can be eaten alone or even as a palate cleanser between courses.
In hot weather, a Pickle Sickle™ can be quite enjoyable, as sweet frozen desserts often seem cloying in hot weather. The brine also helps the body resist dehydration, which can be a useful incidental side effect. Some dieters have also adopted the Pickle Sickle™ as a low fat snack food to eat when a food craving comes on.
Bob's Pickle Sickles™ claims that if you try a Pickle Sickle™, you might just like it. In addition to purchasing this interesting frozen treat, you can also make your own version at home, by juicing some pickles, mixing the juice with brine, and pouring it into a popsicle mold for freezing. After a night of freezing, your own pickle sickles will be ready to eat, and in addition to enjoying them as a snack, you can also make them a conversation piece at parties.