[snow white]

So I went to see how they were getting on. I had checked four days ago and they where diddy.  Today they are five inches long and like mini cucs.  Can they still be pickled or eaten?  Or are they chicken food?

[Annen]

I did that with my gherkins and they were very bitter.  I would try one before you do anything 

[Mrs Bee]

I agree with the last post.
 First check that they aren't bitter and if they don't taste bitter then go ahead and pickle them either sliced thinly as in bread and butter pickle or cut into pickle sticks.

OH has just bought me 2 carrier bags full of gherkins of various sizes so I will be pickling for the next few days.

[compostqueen]

Eat em ! They're cucumbers 

[Salmo]

Eat them but peel off the bitter skins.

Any good pickling tips?

[compostqueen]

I leave the skin on. I thought they would be prickly but they're not. I peeled my first one but can't be bothered. I find them to have a creamy texture, a bit avocado like 

[Mrs Bee]

Eat them but peel off the bitter skins.

Any good pickling tips?

Hot vinegar for soft pickles cold vinegar for crisp.

Brine for soft pickles, dry salt for crisp.

Using half and half white wine and malt (distilled white or brown) give a more mellow flavour. Or using half and half with cider.

Vinegar needs to be at least 5% acid.

Adding a little sugar to the vinegar to taste gives a less sharp taste.
Experiment with spices, e.g cardamom, star anise, dill seeds, juniper berries, etc

[compostqueen]

I had one on me ham salad sarni today. Lovely 

[Mrs Bee]

I had one on me ham salad sarni today. Lovely 

Lucky you.
We ran out of them a couple of weeks ago.

Have made 2 jars so far this season but they aren't ready for eating yet.

The bread and butter pickles are nearly ready for eating tho.

[snow white]

Well today I ate one and treated it like a cucumber.  It was lovely.  No bitterness at all.  As my cucumber plant is sulking then it looks like I have my alternatives ready.