How to pickle cucumbers to make gherkins

aardvark65

Hi, would like some idiot proof advice if possible please! We have lots of cucumbers from allotment and a pickling jar but have no idea how to pickle! Dont know what pickling salt is etc. Could anyone advise please?:)

Islandmaid

Have a Google for 'butter pickles' lots of different recipes, really lovely

curlytop12

I thought gherkins were gherkins, never knew they were cucumbers pickled!

Mojisola

curlytop12 wrote: »

I thought gherkins were gherkins, never knew they were cucumbers pickled!

Originally, they were made from a particular variety of cucumber that produces loads of tiny fruit.

agiaga

You can find many recipes online like here http://www.foodnetwork.co.uk/recipes/quick-and-easy-pickled-gherkins.html

Myself I wouldn't simmer cucumbers in brine, I would boil water with spices and vinegar, pour it over cucumbers in jars, close jars and pasteurise it for 3 minutes, then stand them upside down to cool

You can also try cucumbers in brine - place cucumbers in jars, boils water with salt, fennel seeds and other spices, pour hot mixture to jars, close them and leave to cool. They taste differently than gherkins and not everybody likes them (though they are very common in Central and Eastern Europe)

Anne_Marie_2

Must admit that I do prefer cucumber done in brine rather than vinegar, just about used up all my supplies, and will need to get more done soon.

cheeswright

Do you mean fermenting them when you say done in brine Anne_Marie?

maman

I'm curious. I'm used to eating pickled gherkins or cornichons but not full sized cucumbers. Are we talking about pickling the big ones like we have in a salad? Do you slice them or chop in cubes? TIA

Anne_Marie_2

cheeswright wrote: »

Do you mean fermenting them when you say done in brine Anne_Marie?

Indeed I do. Much tastier than the ones done in vinegar.