Kirby cucumbers, which are small with bumpy skin, are the more popular choice for pickling. I prefer Persian cucumbers, which are smaller and have thin skin. If those are not available, I use English cucumbers (again, thin skin that is not waxy).
Can I use any kind of cucumber for pickling?
Pretty much any type of cucumber can be used for pickling, but true “pickling” cucumbers are different than heirlooms, slicers, or Japanese cukes.
Do you need a specific kind of cucumber for pickles?
Be sure to choose pickling cucumbers and not slicers. (In stores, they’re often labeled as Kirbys. At the market, ask the farmer!) Make sure they’re all the same size, and choose smaller ones from the bin to be sure they’re not bitter.
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.
Which cucumbers have the best flavor?
The best-tasting cucumbers are those that are slicing cucumbers. English cucumbers don’t have the bitter chemical cucurbitacin that some cucumbers have. They also have higher natural sugar content, making them sweeter. The lack of seeds and thinner skin also English cucumbers more enjoyable to eat.
Should you peel cucumbers before pickling?
1. Trim and discard the blossom end of the cucumbers, then peel the cucumbers and cut them into rounds about 1/4-inch thick. In a nonreactive bowl, toss them with the salt, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 or up to 24 hours (I like them after 12).
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.
How do you keep cucumbers crisp when pickling?
Soak Cucumbers In Ice Water Beforehand
If you’re not canning your cucumbers immediately, leave them in an ice bath or in your refrigerator overnight to maintain firmness. Doing this before you start canning them will give you the crunchiest pickles you’ve ever had!
Do bitter cucumbers make good pickles?
Some fruits will be bitter all the way through and should be discarded. Bitter cucumbers will not taste any better when pickled!
Why do you soak cucumbers in ice water before pickling?
For a quick and easy way to help ensure crisp pickles: soak cucumbers in ice water for 4 to 5 hours before pickling. This is a safer method for making crisp pickles. Using lime, or calcium hydroxide, in solution for soaking cucumbers changes the amount of acid in the cucumber tissue.
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.
What are the three 3 types of dill 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.
Are pickling cucumbers the same as regular cucumbers?
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.
Do pickling cucumbers taste different than regular cucumbers?
Certain varieties of cucumbers have been bred specifically for use in pickling. By using these varieties, the home pickling enthusiast will end up with a crisper and more flavorful result.
What cucumbers are the sweetest?
Striped Armenian is one of the sweetest cucumbers. It has small seeds and thin skin. Though it looks like a cucumber, it is actually a melon—a species of Cucumis.
How thick should I cut cucumbers for pickles?
For pickle rounds (“chips”), slice the cucumber(s) into thin rounds, about ⅛-inch thick. Or, for spears, slice them in half lengthwise, then slice the halves lengthwise into quarters, then slice the quarters lengthwise into eighths.
How long can cucumbers sit before pickling?
Store the cucumbers for no longer than 3 to 5 days to ensure maximum freshness.
How do you keep pickles crisp?
5 Secrets for Crispy and Crunchy Pickles
- Use small, firm cucumbers. This is, hands-down, the most important!
- Jar them immediately after picking, or as soon as possible.
- Soak cucumbers in an ice water bath for a couple hours.
- Cut off the blossom end of cucumber.
- Add tannins to the jar.
Can I use leftover pickle juice to pickle cucumbers?
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!
Can I use leftover pickle juice to make more pickles?
To make quick pickles from leftover brine, toss cucumber slices in a colander with salt (1 1/2 teaspoons per pound of cucumbers) and let them sit for 1 hour; then transfer them to a jar. Bring the brine to a boil and pour it over the pickles. Seal the jar and refrigerate the pickles for 24 hours before eating.
What does turmeric do for pickles?
Turmeric is a “trendy” spice, since it contains antioxidants and is thought to help with inflammation and other concerns. This is great, but turmeric also has a wonderful earthy flavor and adds a pretty yellow color to the pickles. It is potent, so a little bit of turmeric goes a long way.