Celebrating the Art of Pickling: Urban Indigenous Community Crowns Pickling Champions

The vibrant atmosphere at the Four Sisters Farmers Market in Minneapolis recently came alive with the annual Pickle-Off, where community members gathered not just to sample delicious pickles, but to celebrate food sovereignty and the richness of urban Indigenous culture. Organizer Cassie Holmes, a proud member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Lake Superior Band of Ojibwe, led the charge in what has become a cherished tradition in the community.

Community members enjoy the flavors at the Pickle-Off.

From the moment jars were opened, the excitement was palpable. This year marks the third annual competition, originally sparked by a friendly rivalry between an urban farmer at Little Earth of United Tribes and former Minneapolis Council member Lisa Goodman. Words flew as they dared each other to prove who truly made the best pickles, drawing in more local participants eager to showcase their culinary creations.

Holmes and her team crafted trophies and certificates, humorously dubbing the event “kind of a big dill.” Such lightheartedness masks the underlying mission of the event: to promote regional food sovereignty and demonstrate how Indigenous peoples can revitalize local food networks.

In collaboration with organizations like the Native American Community Development Institute and the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis, the Pickle-Off aims to empower attendees to engage with food preservation methods and appreciate the importance of homegrown ingredients. Judging by community representatives—including Dr. Angie Erdrich, a local pediatrician and passionate pickler—the entries were a testament to the participants’ hard work and creativity.

A Celebration of Tradition and Community

Among the notable entries this year were pickles from Tyra Payer and Paige Hietpas, who run their canned goods business called CanIHaveSome. Their commitment extends beyond selling products; they emphasized that the project is about nurturing community ties.

“At the end of the day, this is just a life-giving project for us,” Hietpas stated. “That sometimes makes for some long nights, but I think it’s worth it because we get to share food together.”

Payer, who proudly identifies as a Turtle Mountain Ojibwe citizen, reiterated that the event fosters connections with both food and culture. “It’s a way to keep a lot of these traditions going,” she affirmed, highlighting the importance of shared experiences and community support.

Delicious entries from local picklers at the competition.

Entrants in the contest submitted their creations under Dill and Special categories, where community judges sampled over half a dozen entries. The evaluation criteria encompassed visual appeal, color, crunch, and, most importantly, taste. Among the coveted titles, Destiny Jones, a Ho-Chunk citizen, won the Best Pickle trophy with her spicy dill recipe—a culinary masterpiece featuring fresh herbs and peppers.

“Using a lot of fresh ingredients definitely got me some extra points!” Jones expressed with pride, explaining that her choice of herbs played a crucial role in her win. Meanwhile, Dr. Erdrich also saw victory with her unique bread and butter pickles, which are made from cucumbers grown right in her own garden. She shared,

“I grow all my own cucumbers; I have a special way of growing them. So, they grow vertically—if you’re living in an urban setting, you can train them upward.”

This ingenuity is what the Pickle-Off aims to inspire among all participants.

Rebuilding Connections Through Gardening

Jason Garcia, another judge, stressed the significance of events like the Pickle-Off in reconnecting individuals with their food sources. “Taking ownership of what they’re putting into their bodies is a holistic approach to food sovereignty,” he noted, emphasizing the educational aspect of these competitions.

Alongside good food and friendly competition, the Pickle-Off was part of the broader Food Preservation Month initiative at the Four Sisters Farmers Market. Participants had the opportunity to learn about various food preservation techniques like curing, pickling, freezing, and canning.

Participants engage with food preservation techniques at the market.

As the event concluded with laughter, shared meals, and community bonding, it became clear that the Pickle-Off embodies much more than just a competition. It represents a cultural revival, a reaffirmation of urban Indigenous identity, and a reminder of the joy that comes from coming together as a community over homemade, preserved foods.

For those interested in preserving their produce and participating in such a community-driven event, the Pickle-Off will continue to serve as an inspiring example of how food can bring people together while fostering cultural connections and promoting sustainable practices. Keep a lookout for next year’s competition—you won’t want to miss the chance to taste some exceptional pickles or enter your recipe into the fray!