piccalilli

American  

[pik-uh-lil-ee] / ˈpɪk əˌlɪl i /

noun

plural

piccalillis

1. a pungent relish of East Indian origin, made of chopped vegetables, mustard, vinegar, and hot spices.

---

piccalilli British  

/ ˈpɪkəˌlɪlɪ /

noun

1. a pickle of mixed vegetables, esp onions, cauliflower, and cucumber, in a mustard sauce

---

Etymology

Origin of piccalilli

1760–70; earlier piccalillo Indian pickle; obscurely akin to pickle ¹

Explanation

In some regions of the U.S., piccalilli is a condiment made of finely chopped sweet peppers, pickles, or tomatoes. You might add piccalilli to your hotdog or hamburger at a summer cookout. The word piccalilli (originally piccalillo) comes from pickle. The earliest versions of these chopped vegetable concoctions were a reinterpretation of traditional South Asian pickle by British colonizers. Piccalilli in all its forms is much less spicy than the Indian version; in England, it's often made with cauliflower and cucumber, and seasoned with turmeric and mustard. Classic American pickle relish is also a kind of piccalilli.

Example Sentences

There’s an extra charge for crusty whole-grain bread that’s not made in-house but worth having alongside the porky slab of Huntsham Court Farm terrine with piccalilli.

From New York Times • Jul. 15, 2016

The rib-eye is smartly paired with piccalilli and mini cheddar-and-horseradish popovers, just the rousing contrapuntal notes for the meat's rich marbling and char.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 24, 2010

"You had to import Bird's custard, Branston pickle and piccalilli... you had to buy PG Tips and then deal with the French milk."

From The Guardian • Apr. 24, 2010

The Senator was rushed in & out of the fair grounds before he had a chance to admire a steer or sample a jar of piccalilli.

From Time Magazine Archive

In reaching the tin of "foy grass" from the top shelf, he had knocked down and broken a bottle of piccalilli, catching its contents in the crystallised sugar drawer.

From Mrs. Day's Daughters by Mann, Mary E.