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.

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piccalilli British  

/ ˈpɪkəˌlɪlɪ /

noun

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

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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

The seed for the establishment of Manfood was planted when Dang’s partner complained that it was no longer possible to buy a decent jar of Piccalilli.

From Forbes • May 15, 2015

"Ah, yes; he was India Pickle, aunt, and you used to call me Piccalilli!"

From Tony Butler by Lever, Charles James

Piccalilli, pik′a-lil-i, n. a pickle of various vegetable substances with mustard and spices.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Oh, Piccalilli blossoms!" cried Chick, when they were fairly out of hearing, "did you ever see anything like that!

From Patty Blossom by Wells, Carolyn