Long Island Food Critic

Thomas Jefferson once said, "On a hot day in Virginia, I know nothing more comforting than a fine spiced pickle, brought up trout-like from the sparkling depths of the aromatic jar below the stairs of Aunt Sally's cellar." It became abundantly clear that Thomas Jefferson is not alone is his love of a good pickle, as we witnessed the hordes of attendees descend upon the 35th Annual Pickle Festival held by the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association at The John Gardiner Farm.

The festival was chock full of fun activities for all ages including a hayride around the farm, a traditional corn maze, and a variety of traditional "country fair" food. One of the things that set this festival apart from the plethora of other long Island fairs was the historical setting in which it took place that included an antique "lollipop train" which children enjoyed greatly, as well as an interactive potato demonstration of a vintage farm apparatus.

However, the pickle, in all its glorious varieties took center stage. There was a pickle wagon, pickles on a stick, pickle peddlers, pickle barrels, pickle statues, cutouts of pickle people, and other preposterous pickle paraphernalia. All kidding aside these were some serious pickle people dedicated to bringing the best and freshest cucumbers from their vine to the brine.

The wonderful assortment of pickles included: Sour, Spicy Sour, Horseradish, Brown Mustard, Jalapeno, Bread & Butter, Red Flannel, Honey Mustard, Sweet Cajun, Cherry Peppers, Sauerkraut, Sausage & Peppers, New Dill and of course Kosher Dill. The crowd favorite was the bread and butter pickle. However, as wonderful as they all were, we enjoyed the nose tingling horseradish the best.