Southern fried dill pickle spears from Spanky’s

A reader emailed this to me. I must say, when I opened the attached file, I started to laugh. Fried pickle spears!?! Reminded me of the fried pizza slices and Mars bars you hear people eating in the UK.

Supposedly these are a southern tradition. However, the recipe is from Spanky's in good ol' New York City.

I'm always on the lookout for unique recipes that can make me giggle, and this one fits the bill. Have a weird food recipe? Email it to me!

1. Southern Fried Dill Pickle Spears from Spanky’s
   127 W. 43rd Street, New York City

Fried Pickle Buttermilk Batter Ingredients:
Yield 1 quart

• ½ cup buttermilk
• ½ cup seltzer water
• 2 each whole large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1-tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

Directions:

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Mix the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl with a whip.
3. Make a well the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients.
4. Mix the wet and dry together with a whip until smooth. Should be the consistency of a runny pancake batter

Fried Pickle Breading Mix

Ingredients:

• 2 quarts breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2-teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Mix together in a large bowl.

Fried Pickle Breading Procedure

Ingredients:

• 25 each 4” pickle spears – half sour garlic pickles
• 2 quarts fried pickle breading mix
• 3 cups buttermilk batter
• 1 cup flour – seasoned with salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Drain pickles, coat lightly with seasoned flour.
2. Dip into buttermilk batter.
3. Drain excess batter and coat with fried pickle breading mix.

Cooking Procedure

1. Fry pickles in 375 degree vegetable oil until golden brown. Pickles should be completely submerged in the oil.
2. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon or tongs and drain on paper towels.
3. Season with salt and serve hot.

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Comments

[Ms. J]

It's true..these are a southern tradition. Well maybe tradition is a strong word..but they did originate down south I believe. I'm a southern girl born & raised but I still can't bring myself to try them. Luckily they aren't a southern staple like fried chicken or something..haha =)

[CraftyLilDevil]

Oh yeah. Makes me homesick, just reading about it. I know that fried pickles sound absolutely disgusting, but they are SO good!
The best ones I've ever had came from a little place in Muskogee, Oklahoma called Runt's Barbeque. (Weird name, amazing barbeque!)

And you know what makes fried pickles sound even more gross? At Runt's, they're served with ranch dressing. YUM!!

[Trace Hillman]

Morning from Western Colorado... I am a southern boy from Alabama and I love fried pickles. Sonic drive-in used to have them on the menu, and it was the best. If you are looking for a place in Colorado that serves them, go to the Armory in Greeley on 8th st (?) It is a burger joint/college dive, but it has awesome burgers and the most amazing building, it has an airplane hanging above the bar area (some kind of bomber) and all kinds of unique decor besides that. Any way, it has great fried pickles spears, and they serve them with Ranch. makes a boy homesick.. it is a good thing I can cook.. Have Fun

[Yvonne]

I also live in Colorado and if you are ever anywhere near Fort Collins you must go to Sanford's (corner of Jefferson and College Ave) in Old Town and have their fried pickles!!! They are to die for and are served with a yummy cajun ranch sauce!!!

I am going to try this recipe tonight....I just LOVE fried pickles!!

[April]

I live in Alabama, and the first time that I heard of fried dill pickles was about 2 weeks ago, my husband ordered them at a local resturant called Struts. Anyway I was extremely hesitant to try them but after much coersion I did and they were absolutely delicious! These were also served with Ranch dressing. Don't be afraid to try something at least once you may be pleasantly (and shockingly) surprised! :)

[-]

waddddddddddddddup y'all

[Brooke]

I'm from Wisconsin and we have a hotdog/ burger stand called Standing Room Only in Kenosha that has amazing fried pickles served with ranch dressing. They are pretty much my favorite food ever. If you like dill pickles you will like them too. I have also had some in michigan. The key to a good fried pickle is the pickle itself, it must be very garlicky and sour. I am always on the lookout for places that have fried pickles, I look on every menu with fried food in the appetizers section!

[Barbara]

I was just in Memphis and they have them in several restruants - and they are wonderful...sounds kind of gross...but Yum-O