[Alex 98]

Any tips, ideas or recipes?
Please

Loads of Q's. too many to eat now :?

Thanks
Alex

[jannie]

hi alex, not done it my self but have recipe
        if the cucumbers are vey small, they can be left whole ,but otherwise cut into convenient sized pieces.
put into wet brine,or cover in salt [dry brine] and leave overnight.
prepare spiced vinegar.
strain spiced vinegar and cool.
remove cucumber from brine and rinse well with cold water.
drain thoroughly.
pack into jars.
pour over vinegar and seal .
  hope this is of some help jan

[ColinGrigson]

Hi Alex , my wife's parents pickle 200 - 300 kg every year  :shock:  and they say that they should be whole to maintain the crispness as slicing tends to make the cucumbers very soggy . They only use 'ridge' cucumbers as opposed to salad ones so I'll be interested to know how yours go . Good luck with them   .

[DD.]

I suggest you have a look at the Gherkin recipie that oliveview kindly provided a day or two ago....

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=21486

[muntjac]

best i ever had ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
http://www.recipezaar.com/137037
add a few whole mustard seeds   chopped shallots  red pepper / small amount chilli flakes if you like  :oops:

[Alex 98]

Cheers for all the info & links

I'll experiment, see what's best

I've been reading the labels on all the main brands in the shops
They all contain 'firming agents'. What is this?
Surely they should list the actual chemical?

Alex

[chrissie B]

did some pickled cues last year still got a jar and thought they would be soggy but were great done a load more this year, and got another 10 cues waiting need more vinegar .
Chrissie b

[Trillium]

They all contain 'firming agents'. What is this?
Surely they should list the actual chemical? Alex

Listing the chemicals depends on how fine the wording of the government requirement is.
The agents are mostly chemicals, but it'll depend on the particular cukes they're dealing with. Sometimes it will be alum to firm up limp ones, other times bay leaf, the rest of the time it'll be chemicals I couldn't even pronounce let alone spell. Which is why home cukes are better. I can pronounce and spell everything I add to mine, which is minimal.