TigerChef

When we think pickles, we think cucumbers. Although the most universally pickled vegetable is the cucumber, there are many other vegetables, and even some fruits, that can be pickled such as beets, olives, cabbage, peppers, mushrooms…etc.

Pickles are made by placing the fruit or vegetable in a brine solution, usually made out of salt, water, spices, peppercorn and most importantly, vinegar. The vegetable can be left in the solution for hours, days and even weeks, depending on how pickled you like the vegetable to be, after which a large amount of the natural juices have been exchanged with an acidic solution.

Let’s talk pickles as in pickled cucumbers.

Not all cucumbers are cut out to be made into pickles. The best cucumbers are small ones that are grown exclusively to be made into the many different kinds of pickles that can be found in grocery stores.

 The most popular pickle is the “dill pickle” or “kosher dill”. A considerable amount of dill weed, plus a nice amount of garlic, is added to the brine to make what is called dill pickles. The pickles are then stored in large barrels until they are ready to be sold or eaten. This type of pickle is most commonly used as a side dish in restaurants and delis. ...continue reading