Quick Pickle
One thing I look forward to at the beginning of each year is the bounty of vegetables that we harvest in the summer. We built a garden in memory of my wife two years ago. Her father actually helped build the garden. Unfortunately, it was one of the last projects we both worked on together. He passed away April of last year. It’s amazing that a plot of land that is only 15 feet by five feet can bring such joy. Working in the garden brings back so many happy memoires of two amazing people. I’m sure they are both looking over us as we tend the soil, plant the seedlings, water the crops, and pick the fresh vegetables.
At the end of the summer we have so much produce, it seems like we pickle something every week. When we run short, we have a quick pickle recipe that works with English cucumbers. So, we can have the sharp, tart, sour, and bitter taste of pickled foods all year round.
Quick Pickle
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients:
1 English cucumber
2 teaspoons sea salt
8 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons fine sugar
1 teaspoon freshly chopped dill
Red pepper flakes, cilantro or other herbs and spices to taste (optional).
How to Make:
Take your knife and slice the cucumber in half lengthways. Using a teaspoon scrape out the seeds and discard. Slice the two halves into thin half-moons, about the thickness of a quarter.
Place the sliced cucumber into a colander and sprinkle over the salt. Place a large plate under the colander and a smaller plate on top to weigh down the cucumber. Press out any moisture. Leave for 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry the cucumber.
While the cucumber is resting, make the pickling liquid by heating the vinegar and caster sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove the pan from the heat and set to one side to cool.
Place the cucumber into a medium size jar, and pour over the pickling liquid. Add the chopped dill. Screw on the lid, and shake well. Remove the lid and enjoy. Store any leftovers in the jar with the lid on for up to a week in the refrigerator.
3 responses to “Quick Pickle (pickled cucumber made easy)”
“It’s amazing that a plot of land that is only 15 foot by 5 foot can give such joy and pleasure and bring back so many happy memoires of two amazing people. ” I totally agree. Peter put in a garden last year and it is amazing how a plot of land brings so much healthy pleasure to our home and others. I’ve never had a garden and it truly is an excellent learning experience for me. I’ve never canned either. Oy I just outed myself. Hoping to learn to pickle this year. In the meantime, will try your recipe.
Thank you,
Cece
I was brought up working in the garden with my father – happy days – happy memories – My garden now brings back those times and more with thoughts of Alison and her father – Its nice just to spend time there in the spring summer and fall – enjoy your garden and happy pickling!
Thanks For Your Blog.