Who doesn’t like to enjoy homemade pickles? Pickled tomatoes, cucumbers, small squash - all this is a real decoration of any feast. Not a single family dinner or lunch can do without them. Gherkins pickled cucumbers, the recipe of which often remains a mystery to many, are the most favorite product. What are these special pickles?
Gherkins are small cucumbers. Their length does not exceed 8 cm, ideally 4. For some reason, it is such specimens, the size of a finger, that are in greatest demand. If you prepare them correctly, then such an appetizer will certainly cause real delight among the guests.
Recipe "Pickled Gherkins"
Carefully selected cucumbers must first be left to soak in ice water for about 7-8 hours. All vegetables must be absolutely clean, without rot and affected areas. Otherwise, the taste of the finished pickles will greatly disappoint you. During the soaking, it is necessary to change the water in the tank several times. This will give the cucumbers elasticity and a seductive crunch.
In order for the pickled gherkins, the recipe of which we are about to reveal, to be spicy and fragrant, you must use the following ingredients. Rinse thoroughly several dill umbrellas, cherry leaves, black currants, add peeled fresh garlic cloves and small horseradish roots.
Soaked cucumbers are selected in accordance with the size. Rinse them again under cold running water. Cut off the ends with a sharp knife. Pickled gherkins (the recipe requires the use of glass containers of small volume) must be laid out in advance sterilized jars of 0.5 or 0.7 liters. Prepare the dishes as follows. Boil water in a small saucepan. Hold the cans over the steam so that drops form on the walls. Sterilize them until the container is completely transparent, without condensation.
On the bottom of each jar, you must first put one leaf of black currant and cherry, a piece of horseradish root, cut into two parts a slice of freshly peeled garlic, one small umbrella of dill, a few peas of pepper (black or allspice). You will get wonderful pickled gherkins. The recipe involves changing the set of ingredients to your taste.
Cucumbers must be placed very tightly in the jar so that there is no free space between the vegetables. At the same time, gherkins of the same size should be in one container. Banks need to top up with boiling water. We cover the containers with lids and wait until they cool completely. This liquid will then need to be drained (we still need it).
Pickled gherkins, the recipe of which is described in this article, are almost ready. There are not many points left. Prepare marinade from expressed water. The entire amount of ingredients is designed for approximately one and a half liters of liquid. You will need 3 tablespoons of salt (tablespoons), 2 times more sugar, and also a little vinegar (125 ml). The severity of the finished gherkins will depend on the latter component. Add salt and sugar to the water and bring it to a boil. After this, vinegar must be poured. Immediately fill the cans with the marinade and cover them with lids. It is most convenient to use containers with a thread on the neck. Turn the cans upside down and wrap them in a warm blanket. Such gherkins are stored both in the refrigerator and at room temperature.