SOMERSET PICCALILLI - CULTJAR x ROOT Collaboration

June 25, 2025

Somerset Piccalilli

Rob Howell X CULTJAR

Collaboration Recipe

When it comes to jarred foods, piccalilli is one of the all-time favourites, so when we spoke of a collaboration with CULTJAR it had to be that! It’s a real pleasure to get a chance to be involved in developing this recipe alongside the CULTJAR team. To create a well-sourced product, full of only real ingredients, hand-made in small batches @worminsterfarm, it really is a perfect Somerset piccalilli.

Rob Howell

Chef/Director

ROOT Wells & Bristol

Author of ROOT cookbook

Piccalilli with a difference

15 Vegetables & Fruits

27 Plant-based ingredients

Piccalilli has a bad rep... It's usually a gloopy, radioactive yellow substance that most of us are likely to avoid on the side of our ploughman's.

But ours is different!

The CULTJAR chefs, along with Rob Howell, wanted to create a piccalilli that stood out from the rest. A fresh, crunchy, salsa-like pickle, full of well-sourced natural ingredients, punchy seasoning and spices, creating a balanced flavour profile.

A recipe that is nostalgic, delicious and healthy all at the same time.

REAL Ingredients

We've created a recipe full of fresh and delicious English kitchen gardenvegetables. And, judicious use of local honey means that we can minimise the sugar without compromising the taste, allowing us to retain the wonderful flavour and texture of each vegetable.

We use a unique blend of spices, whilst staying true to a classic Piccalilli recipe. Fresh turmeric gives our recipe its unique bright yellow colour, as well as a wonderfully fragrant mix of mustard - powder and seeds, black pepper, bay, cumin, coriander seeds, nutmeg and cardamon.

These spices not only impart a powerhouse of flavour to this pickle, but also naturally contain beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These have been shown to improve digestion and even contribute to better heart health and blood sugar control.

THE COLLABORATION

Jarring Rob's passion and fantastic flavours

At CULTJAR, we are all about celebrating talented local chefs and food producers. As well as getting creative, producing small-batch bespoke recipes with all-natural local produce. Preserving the best ingredients and prolonging the seasons - all of our passions in a jar.

Rob Howell is a brilliant modern chef with a focus on sustainability and veg-focused gastronomy. Creating exciting and delicious plates from humble yet excellent quality ingredients.