Bloom on pickles?

[spider8]

Many years ago I used to pickle onions but found that, after a while, they developed a kind of green bloom on them in the jar. I wondered if anybody knew what had happened or why?
I just peeled them, put them into the jars and poured the cold pickeling vinegar over them and that was it. I love pickled onions and was thinking of doing some more but wanted to know what had happened to them and if they were okay to eat (I ate them anyway and didn't suffer any ill effects so I guess they'd be okay).

[grahamhobbs]

Most recipes say that you should completely cover the peeled onions with salt for 24 hours to draw out excess moisture before putting in vinegar. I think this allows the vinegar to penetrate into the onions preventing this mould.

[Green Aura]

Yes I think it's the excess moisture in the onions that will make them go off. My mother makes the pickles and she always slats the veg.

[spider8]

Ah ha! Didn't do that bit ........will next time.