How TSI's Terry Harstad won the pickle wars

Terry Harstad, TSI Service Technician, has been part of the TSI family for five years. Just this summer, we found out that Terry and his wife Doris have also been bringing home blue ribbons (and red and white ribbons as well) from the Minnesota State Fair for their prize-winning pickles since 2014.

Here's their story:

"Growing up in South Dakota, there were always home canned pickles. After moving to Minneapolis, those wonderful pickles weren’t available on a regular basis. 

Not finding any commercial pickles that tasted as good, we decided to start making our own, using a family recipe. 

The first year’s batch was inedible. We continued experimenting with the recipe and different ingredients until we were happy with the results.

"In 2014 somebody encouraged us to enter the canning competition at the Minnesota State Fair. We entered 3 categories that year, winning a 2nd place ribbon in the Gedney Hot & Savory category. That was all the encouragement we needed. 

"We’ve expanded the categories we entered each year since then, and have created new recipes with different flavors along the way. To date, we have won 32 ribbons, including 10 1st place ribbons, in the State Fair and Gedney contests. In 2017 we were honored to have one of our jars selected as Best In Show as well as taking 1st place in the Dill with Other Veggies/Spices category.

"It’s a fun hobby for us every summer and fall. We enjoy sharing our products with friends and family."