Pickle-Making the Easy Way
Slices of soon-to-be pickles.
My daughter absolutely loves cucumbers. She will eat an entire cucumber as a snack. In fact all of my children love slices of raw cucumber, but not quite like Kyla. You cannot always eat enough before they start going bad. Our favorite way to preserve cucumbers is pickling them.
In the past I have followed different recipes for bread and butter pickles and dill pickles. These are our favorite kinds of pickled cucumbers. It gets quite expensive to purchase all the spices needed.
Two years ago I noticed the Ball brand mixes sitting next to the canning equipment in stores. I decided to read the ingredients. I was completely surprised that the ingredients read so simply: salt, spices, etc. The packets are also very cheap compared to the price of spices.
Now I make my pickles using the Ball brand mixes. Pickles are one of the few things that I use a mix to make instead of doing it by myself. It is easier and less expensive. When you feel like you are constantly in the garden picking or in the kitchen canning, these mixes feel like lifesavers.
In the past I have always soaked my cucumber slices in ice water for hours. This step is not mandatory, but is supposed to make your pickles crispy. Despite soaking in ice cold water for a minimum of four hours, my pickles have never been like a Vlassic, which is known for its crispiness.
Pickle spears in the making.
This year I bought calcium chloride, also known as Pickle Crisp. You simply add 1/4 tsp of the substance to your quart-sized jar. One container would last seemingly forever because of the small amount you use.
I am pleasantly surprised by the difference in my pickles this year. You can hear someone biting into one from across the table, “crunch, crunch.” My pickles are very crispy.
Making pickles would be a great first canning project. The way I did mine is so easy. You prepare your jars and lids. You slice up your cucumbers whichever way you want them. This year Jake and I made spears and slices.
You heat up your brine by following the directions on the mix. The recipes require both sugar and vinegar in addition to the mix. You pack your soon-to-be pickles in the jar. Pour the brine over them and seal the jars. Process in a water bath for 15 minutes. Allow to sit for about two weeks before eating so that the flavors will have sufficient time to do their magic.
Another variation is making pickled okra. Only use tender okra pods. Wash them and leave them whole. Pack in the jar and follow the same steps. I use the dill brine for my okra, but you could use the bread and butter for slightly sweeter okra.
Here is a link to make simple very crisp dill pickles without buying lots of spices using all natural ingredients.
http://wildedtx.blogspot.com/2010/03/best-dill-pickles-you-ever-ate.html
Remembering my poor mom’s squishy dill pickle slices, I have resisted making pickles with our abundant cucumbers, choosing instead to make huge bowlfuls of gazpacho, oodles of tzadziki, or give cucumbers away. After reading your account of easy AND crunchy pickles, I think I’m going to try them!
Thank you, Wild Ed.
Lara
Susan,
Let me know if they turn out crunchy.
Lara
I made pickles for the first time ever this year and loved them! I also used the Pickle Crisp. Did you try to put a little bit on your tongue? I did, just to know what it tastes like before I used it. Try it, you are in for a surprise!
I did not try the pickle crisp by itself. Now I am nervous, but very curious. I am glad your pickles are great!
Lara
I stumbled upon your website this evening. I was searching for recipes that use jalapeno jelly. I have been canning for years and this year we have an abundance of jalapenos. I found a slightly different recipe than yours and have about 5 cases already put up under my sons bed. I have been canning pickles for years as well and really like Mrs. Wages pickling solutions for Dill and Bread n Butter. I never have had a problem with them not being crisp. I used to be able to buy it at the local grocery store but this year I had to buy it on line. You should try it. Enjoyed your site. By the way my daughter showed a goat this year as well and did very well.
Sarah,
Thanks for stopping by.
Lara
If you really want a treat. Pickle yourself some bread and butter jalapeno slices, and do add pickle crisp for extra crunch. Wal mart uaually carries the Ball brand. I use Mrs Wages bread and butter pickle mix. If you have that, the crisp, and peppers, you are good to go !