All that hard work we put in this summer… all the focus, and persistence, imagination, daydreams, lazy chats, and late sunsets…. it’s time to pack all of that up in some vinegar and spices and pickle it for the Fall. All of that summer goodness doesn’t go away! It’s just gets salty and tart and puts of a thick scarf for the new season.
I always have a hard time with the transition between Summer and Fall.
Summer is my favorite season, so getting into Fall is always a kicking and screaming endeavor until it’s just cold enough to eat doughnuts and hide in big chunky sweaters.
I’m trying to embrace this farewell to Summer with a little dignity and preservation… ie: pickles.
This is my first time making pickles. It’s a whole new world! Veggies in jars with vinegar. Let’s ease our way in.
Even pickles look dreamy in sunlight and Instagram.
This is a small batch of pickles.
Two pounds of cucumbers and three cups of liquid make three pint jars of pickles.
This feels like a manageable batch considering my amateur pickling skills and the small size of my refrigerator.
Spices like dill seed, red pepper flakes, and black peppercorn are added to the bottom of the pickle jars. Garlic cloves too! Let’s not forget those!
Cucumbers are packed in the jars and topped with a warm and salty vinegar-water solution. It’s really quite simple!
I had so many questions when it came to making pickles. Am I boiling jars? Am I boiling cucumbers? How does this work?
Here are some questions that might come up for you, because they came up for me. Do I really need pickling salt? Can’t I substitute with a salt I actually have? (Yes… I sure did.) Also, why can’t I just make Strawberry Jam and call it a day.
Canning can feel a bit daunting, but there are ways to get the canning fix without being entirely overwhelmed.
I’ve found some wonderful recourses are Food in Jars: Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round by Marisa McClellan, and Canning and Preserving by Ashley English. Love both!
Also… the pickles are spicy and stellar! Next up: scarf shopping.
Homemade Garlic Dill Cucumber Pickles
makes 3 pint jars
inspired by The Kitchn
2 pounds Kirby or Persian cucumbers
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons pickling salt (I used pure sea salt, see notes in the post above)
6 cloves garlic, peeled
3 pinches crushed red pepper flakes
3 teaspoons dill seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons black peppercorns
Wash and slice the cucumbers. Leave the skin on, but wash well enough to ensure that there’s no dirt on the cucumbers. Slice into wedge strips or rounds.
In a medium saucepan, bring vinegar, water and pickling salt to a simmer. Once simmering, remove from heat.
Divide the spices between three clean pint jars. Add the sliced cucumbers and pack tightly. You don’t want to pack hard enough to bruise the cucumbers, but make sure they’re as cozy as can be. Pour warm brine into each jar, leaving about 1/2-inch headspace.
Tap the jars on the counter top to loosen and air bubbles.
Place lids on the jars and let cool to room temperature before storing in the fridge.
Allow to rest for 2 days before enjoying. Pickles will last up to two weeks.
yuri
yay! i’mma get to canning this week. i’m so excited.
joy – where are those jars with the “…maison” lids from? i love the shape of the slightly taller ones.
Shepherds Pie Blog
My mom used to tell me I was going to turn into a pickle I ate so many. Love this end of summer post. Definitely inspired to make some this weekend!
Nicole @ the Dirty oven
Made this same pickle prep on my blog and loved them. Super fresh and easy. Makes me want to pickle everyting.
Next up Kimchi???
Carolyn Lee
Can I use English or regular cucumbers for this recipe? I have been looking for a recipe like this and this is the best I have seen thus far.
Thanks!
Jackie H
You can pickle zucchini the same way if has taken over your garden.
April
Joy, my dear, I made pickles the same day as you. I did make (and can) 7 quarts though. It’s one of my favorite things to do.
I need to make another 14 now. In Minnesota it’s great to have them in the cubbard in the dead of winter ;)
Fabiola
Delicious recipe!
In Mexico, people “pickle” carrots with onions and some bay leaves, and oregano, no dill with this combo though, but the peppercorns and garlic cloves for sure! This is absolutely delicious with tostadas or tacos, try it, I think you might like it ;-)
F
kaira @ biscuitwallah.com
pickles are probably my favorite thing in life but I’ve been too scared to try making them !! i think it’s the whole canning process thats scaring me off lol. the addition of pepper flakes and garlic make these look pretty life changing tho, might have to try making them sometime soon!
Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate
I made pickles for the first time last fall. We just ate the last jar though so I guess that calls for more! So much better than the store bought kind!
ATasteOfMadness
Yum! I have never made pickles before, but this WAY better than buying them. I should try soon!
Karen
I love dill pickles! I can’t wait to try these. Thanks Joy!
J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats
I want to do this but with cauliflowers or carrots!