Pickled Cucumber Food

PICKLED CUCUMBERS AND RED ONION

Steps:

• Using a mandoline or sharp knife, finely slice the cucumbers and red onion. Put in a mixing bowl with the dill sprigs and a pinch of salt while you prepare the pickling solution.
• In a small pot over medium heat, combine white vinegar, sugar, allspice and salt. Stir well until the liquid is simmering and the sugar has completely dissolved. Pour pickling liquid over red onion and cucumbers and stir to ensure everything is evenly coated. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap (press the plastic wrap down onto the cucumbers so there is no air) and refrigerate. Chill for at least 4 hours to cool completely before serving.

CUCUMBER PICKLE

Steps:

• Layer cucumber and onions in colander over a bowl, sprinkling with sea salt along the way. Weigh down with a plate and leave for a few hours
• Combine vinegar, sugar, seeds, cloves and turmeric into the pan. Bring slowly to the boil until the sugar dissloves
• Add well drained cucumber and onions, mix thoroughly and bring to boil for 1 minute. Using slotted spoon, put cucumber and onions into sterilised jars. Leave liquid in the pan, boil to reduce the liquid (15 mins or so), then pour over cucumber and onions in jars to the brim. Ready to eat in 4-6 months

DILL PICKLED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Cut the pickling or ridged cucumbers into sticks or slices. Layer with the coarse crystal sea salt in a large bowl, cover and leave overnight. Drain away the brine, then rinse.
• To make the pickling vinegar, put the whole spices in a medium saucepan. Toast over a low heat until they begin to smell aromatic. Add the dried chilli flakes last, as these can easily catch. Add the bay, pour in all of the vinegar and sugar, let it dissolve, and bring to a simmer. Add the dill sprigs.
• Pack the cucumber into jars, pour over the hot vinegar and seal. Ready to eat in 2 weeks, or longer, if you like.

QUICK PICKLED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Toss the cucumber ribbons with the salt in a colander. Leave for 15 mins then squeeze out any excess moisture with your hands and pat the ribbons dry with a tea towel.
• Mix the other ingredients together in a small bowl then stir in the cucumber.

PICKLED CUCUMBERS WITH DILL & SPICE

Steps:

• Wash the cucumbers, split along their length and scoop out the seeds. Cut each half into finger-length chunks, then cut into 5mm strips. Mix with the onion and salt in a large bowl, cover and leave to soak overnight.
• Next day, drain the juices, rinse the vegetables in cold water and drain well. Put the vinegar, sugar and spices into a very large saucepan and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Simmer for 5 mins to let the flavours infuse.
• Add the vegetables and bring the pan to a rolling boil over a high heat, stirring now and again. Boil for 1 min, then remove pan from the heat. Tear in the dill, then pack into sterilised jars (see above right), making sure that no air bubbles are trapped. Store in a cool, dark place until ready to use.