What can I use instead of pickling spice?

[Scottishnewbie]

oops! have 5,000,000 green tomatoes (blight) to use up. Am now onto my 4th concoction and realise I need pickling spice....I have none! What can I use instead please?

[SarzWix]

Anything you fancy Peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander, cloves, star anise, celery seeds

[Alison]

I always make my own pickling spice based around whatever I fancy. Usually involves some peppercorns, corriander seed, garlic, cardomon etc etc. Sometimes also add some bruised root ginger and broken up dried chillies.

[Scottishnewbie]

oh i never knew that! how do i know which to use?

[SarzWix]

Guess?! I suppose it's down to what you have in the cupboard, and whether you like it or not...
I don't always use cloves, because I'm not that keen on them, but always use mustard seeds and coriander. I tried juniper berries once, but I didn't like that so didn't bother again.

[Alison]

If you're not too sure then just use a little bit and don't boil it up for so long. You're probably better going for a weaker flavour to start with and then building it up next time.

[Hilary B]

The 'pickling spice' I bought years back seemed to include black peppercorns, white peppercorns, allspice, small whole dried chillies, mustard seed, more of the earlier listed. Can't remember what else but that is a good start.

[rustylady]

Schwartz pickling spice listed ingredients are: Coriander seed (40%), Yellow mustard seed, dried chillies, Allspice, ginger, black peppercorns (5%), Bay leaves (4%). I also like to add a few cloves as I like the warm taste. It's worth experimenting with the basic mix according to what you like.

[Alison]

You learn something every day, I didn't know you could buy ready mixed pickling spice, have always just made up my own depending on what I fancied!