Spicy, Crunchy, Dill Pickles

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jjseabrook

Newbie
Original poster
Mar 19, 2013
15
11
Wichita Falls, TX
This isn't for outdoor cookin, but it could be for outdoor eatin with BBQ. LOL

Great pickle recipe I thought I'd share. My family has used this recipe for decades. You may be raising pickling cucumbers or you can go to your local farmers market and get some. If you're going to go to the farmers market, I recommend just going by there and telling them how many cucumbers you want and that you want them no more than 3 - 4 inches long and that way you will be sure to get them freshly picked. You don't want to use shriveled cukes for pickles. I like to use pickling cucumbers that are about 3 - 4 inches long. Just buy as many as you think you want to can. LOL

Wash your cucumbers well then put them in the sink with water and a whole lot of ice. You want to get those babies freezing cold.

BRINE:

3 Quarts of water 1 Quart of Vinegar \(5% acidity)

1 cup of salt (non-iodized) Bring brine to a boil and have it boiling hot when you pour it into your jars. You can mix more at a time, just double or triple the ingredients.

JARS: I like to use wide-mouth jars because they're easier to stuff. Sterilize them in boiling water.

LIDS: Just follow the instructions on the box.

OTHER INGREDIENTS:

1/2 teaspoon alum (put this in last before pouring in the brine)

1 teaspoon dill (or if you have fresh dill you can put a pretty good size sprig in the with the seeds on it, which is better)

Garlic pods...I usually put 4 or 5 in there

1 Jalapeno (cut it in half lengthwise for spicier pickles)...obviously, you add another jalapeno or two if you want.

1 fresh Grape leaf, if you have one. If not, don't worry about it. I've made it without them and not a lot of difference.

STUFFING THE JARS:

Put the dill, garlic & jalapeno in the bottom of the jar. Stuff the cucumbers in there as tightly, and quickly, as you can. You want them ice cold when you pour the boiling brine over the top of them.

Put the alum on top.

Pour in the boiling brine and fill it to 1/4 inch from the top of the jar.

Put your lids on the jar and screw your lid rings on.

PROCESS: Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes and it's all over but the waiting.

Sit the jars of pickles on a shelf and wait for at least 3 weeks. VIOLA! You have some Excellent, super crispy, spicy, dill pickles that will keep for years, although they won't last that long. I normally put up about 60 quarts and get it done for the year.
 
Don't be alarmed if the brine in the jars looks a little bit cloudy.  The alum will do that, although it may take months before you really notice it.  

They are ALWAYS best if refrigerated before opening, although not necessary. 

JJ
 
 
Recipe sounds awesome.

Would I need to add boiling/processing time for the altitude to be safe on these??   Most recipes that call for boiling say to add 5-10 minutes for quart size jars for where I'm at, above 6500 feet.
 
That is something I honestly can not answer as I've never had to deal with the altitude issue.  However, I wouldn't think it would be any different for pickles than other water bath canning.  You don't have the issues with pickles that you would with tomatoes, for instance.  You might want to simply check some recipe books to see what they recommend for the higher altitude to be safe.

JJ
 
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