http://www.discoverchemistry.com/dcv2-docroot/student/fun_stuff/electric_pickle/

See what happens when you overload your pickle? Why would someone plug a dill pickle into electricity in the first place? A credible story comes from Steve Jacobs, a science educator, creator of the Jake's Attic TV show, and consultant to Mr. Wizard. According to Mr. Jacobs, while attending a garden party during a teacher's conference someone mentioned how they used to cook food in their college dorm with raw electricity (hot plates were either banned or unavailable). Someone at the party then suggested that the host allow a few electrical experiments to various things found around the kitchen. Apparently, glowing dill pickles were the only exciting discovery.

(More at site, including engaging photo...)

(Thanks to TerryH!)