Recipe for pickling cucumbers

Recipe: Cucumber Salad for Winter

Cucumber Salad for Winter is a wonderful way to preserve the freshness and taste of cucumbers for many months and enjoy them even during the cold months of the year. Here is a simple and proven pickling recipe that will allow you to enjoy aromatic and crunchy cucumbers, even when snow is falling outside.

Ingredients:

• Young cucumbers (preferably medium-sized) - 2 kg
• Water - 1 liter
• Vinegar - 1 cup (250 ml)
• Sugar - 4 tbsp
• Salt - 3 tbsp
• Garlic - 3-4 cloves (optional)
• Dill (or other favorite herbs) - to taste
• Bay leaf - 2-3 leaves
• Black peppercorns - 5-6 pieces
• Sterilized jars with lids

Preparation Steps:

1. Preparing the cucumbers:

   • Choose fresh, young cucumbers of medium size. Wash them with cold water, remove the spines, and cut them into desired size (slices, half-rings, or whole).

2. Making the brine:

   • In a deep saucepan, mix water, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Let the brine cool down.

3. Filling the jars:

   • Put a few garlic cloves (optional), bay leaf, and some black peppercorns in each sterilized jar. Add fresh herbs (dill or other preferred green herbs).

4. Packing the cucumbers:

   • Now carefully pack the sliced cucumbers into the jars, without filling them completely. Leave a small gap at the top for the brine.

5. Pouring the brine:

   • Once the brine has cooled down slightly, carefully pour it into the jars, covering the cucumbers completely. Make sure the cucumbers are fully submerged in the brine.

6. Sealing the jars:

   • Seal the jars tightly with the sterilized lids.

7. Pasteurization (process of killing bacteria):

   • Place the jars with cucumbers on the bottom of a deep saucepan or large pot, laying a towel or rubber mat on the bottom first. Pour hot water into the pot to completely cover the jars. Pasteurize the cucumbers in boiling water for 10-15 minutes.

8. Cooling and storage:

   • Take the jars out of the pot and let them cool at room temperature. After cooling, store the cucumber salad for winter in a cool place (cellar or refrigerator will work).

Common mistakes when making cucumber salad for winter:

Using poor quality cucumbers: When choosing cucumbers for pickling, it is advisable to prefer fresh ones, regardless of their appearance. Old, overripe, or damaged cucumbers can result in soft and unpleasant tasting pickled cucumbers.

Not observing sterility: Insufficiently sterilized jars, lids, or tools can lead to the development of bacteria and microorganisms in the salad, which can spoil the product.

Over-salting or under-salting: Incorrect amount of salt in the brine can make the cucumbers too salty or, conversely, not salty enough, affecting their taste.

Overusing vinegar: Too much vinegar can make the cucumber salad too sour and unpleasant in taste.

Improper storage: If the cucumber salad is not stored in a cool place or the jars were not tightly closed, it can lead to loss of freshness and product quality.

Lack of pasteurization: Pasteurization is an important step in preparing pickled cucumbers for winter, as it helps kill bacteria and increase the shelf life of the product. Skipping this step can result in spoilage of the salad.

Using unsuitable spices: Some spices and herbs can overpower the taste of cucumbers or create an unpleasant combination of flavors. It is recommended to use only those spices that complement and enhance the taste of cucumbers.

Using cucumbers with bitter compounds: Before pickling, cucumbers must be checked for bitterness. If the cucumbers are bitter, they should either be soaked in cold water or replaced with fresh ones.

By correcting these mistakes, you can prepare a tasty and crunchy cucumber salad for winter that will delight you with its aroma and taste throughout the long winter months.

Now that your cucumber salad for winter is ready, you can enjoy the taste of fresh and crunchy cucumbers throughout the winter season. This homemade pickled salad is perfect for cold appetizers and hot dishes. Enjoy your meal!