Pickling cucumbers are ideal because they are small and firm so they give that great pickle crunch. You can pickle any kind of cucumber, but because of the moisture content in slicing and English cucumbers, they will be more mushy but they will still taste great.
What happens if you use regular cucumbers for pickles?
Slicing cucumbers, which includes English cucumbers, can be used for pickles, but you might get a softer pickle. Slicing cucumbers though always can be used in relish with no hesitation, where any softness won’t matter near as much. To help, you can make sure to chill cucumbers well before starting.
Can you use store bought cucumbers to make pickles?
Select fresh, firm, unwaxed cucumbers. Quite often pickles purchased from a grocery store will have a wax finish — this will prevent the brine from penetrating and not properly curing to make a good pickle.
Does it matter what kind of cucumbers for pickles?
Pickling cucumbers are typically shorter than slicing cucumbers. Their flesh and skin also tend to be thicker and crispier that slicing varieties as well. This combination of unique traits makes them absolutely perfect for the pickling process.
What to use instead of pickling cucumbers?
Armenian Cucumbers: Long, thin, and with a thin skin and soft seeds, Armenian cucumbers are ideal for eating raw, not pickling. This is my favorite cucumber, because the tiny seeds are barely there, the skins aren’t tough, and they just look really cool when you prepare them because of their ridged texture.
What is the difference between pickling cucumbers and regular?
Pickling cucumbers are shorter and bigger around than slicing cucumbers. They are bred to have thinner skins and black spines so the pickled product will look better. Pickling varieties can be eaten fresh and slicing varieties can be pickled, but the differences can be discerned by the average consumer.
Can I just put cucumbers in pickle juice?
Cucumbers in Pickle Juice – This recipe hack couldn’t be easier and it’s a great way to use up leftover pickle juice too. You prepare fresh cucumbers, and just drop them into the pickle juice, cover, and allow to marinate, and then enjoy!
How long does it take to turn cucumbers into pickles?
Cucumbers can be fermented in a crock to produce genuine dill pickles. Fermenting genuine dill pickles takes 3 to 4 weeks at 70°F. The fermentation process allows bacteria to produce lactic acid, which preserves the cucumbers and produces the characteristic color and texture of genuine dills.
How many times can I reuse pickle brine?
How many times can I reuse pickle juice? To be on the safe side, we wouldn’t recommend reusing it more than once, although some say you can safely reuse it 2 or 3 times. Again, watch for changes in the clarity of the brine. BONUS!
Is it cheaper to make or buy pickles?
Homemade pickles can be much more cost effective than buying pickles in the market. Good quality pickles in the market are expensive and it is cheaper to make pickles at home.
Can you use zucchini instead of cucumbers for pickles?
Zucchini (aka courgettes) can be used interchangeably usually for cucumber in sliced pickle recipes such as bread and butter, sweet mix, etc. This is a good tip to keep in mind if you are making pickles at a time of the year when cucumbers are very expensive and zucchini are not.
How long does it take pickles to pickle?
The fermentation is complete when the pickles taste sour and the bubbles have stopped rising; this should take approximately 6 to 7 days.
Are mini cucumbers the same as pickling cucumbers?
Gardeners who desire a mini-cucumber for pickling should plant pickling cucumbers, then harvest them when they have reached the desired size. The main difference between pickling and regular cucumbers is in the skin. Pickling cucumbers have thinner skin than that of standard cukes, and it tends to be less bitter.
Why are my pickles mushy?
If the pickles are soft, they are spoiled from the yeast fermentation. Don’t use them. Using too weak a salt brine or vinegar solution may cause soft or slippery pickles, as can using moldy garlic or storing the pickles at too warm a temperature. These pickles are spoiled and should be discarded.
What are the 3 types of pickles?
Pickles can be made using one of three methods: refrigeration, fresh packed, or processed. All three achieve the same pickling end goal, but employ different strategies to get there, mostly involving the amount of brine—and the amount of time—the process involves.
Why do you soak cucumbers in salt water before pickling?
You will need a recipe, most of which will tell you to salt your sliced cucumbers and let them sit for about 3 hours (more is better). This salt treatment draws water out of the cucumbers and flavors them, so it’s critically important.
Why do cucumbers make you burp but not pickles?
Cucumbers naturally contain the chemical compound cucurbitacin. This is said to be the reason behind gas inducing burps. By breeding cucumbers with low or no cucurbitacin, the theory goes that you will have cucumbers that do not cause burping. Cucurbitacin produces a bitter taste in cucumbers.
Why are pickles not called pickled cucumbers?
Why aren’t all pickled cucumbers called pickles? Because pickled cauliflower and carrot and onions can also be called pickles. Pickled cucumbers are often called gherkins, because that is the variety of cucumber which is usually used for the pickled cucumbers.
Why are my pickling cucumbers bitter?
The actual cause of bitterness in cucumbers and other gourds, like zucchini, is due to a compound known as cucurbitacin. This compound is always present in cucumbers, but the levels change based on the growing process of the vegetables. The higher the level of cucurbitacin, the more bitter the cucumber.
Can you make pickles with store bought pickle juice?
All you need are cucumbers and leftover store-bought pickle juice. Any brand works such as Vlasic of Claussen. You can also use any whether it is spicy, bread and butter, dill, or sweet. Whatever you like, save that pickle juice to reuse and make a small batch of quick refrigerator pickles.
Why are my pickles so salty?
You don’t want to end up with too much or too little liquid in the end, and using too much salt can make your pickles taste too salty. To create the right balance of water, salt and vinegar, use measuring cups and spoons, and weigh the salt if you’re substituting a different variety.