Dill Pickle With Grape Leaves Recipes

CRISPY DILL PICKLE RECIPE

Steps:

• Prepare jars - wash or sterilize them in the dishwasher - keeping them hot.
• Start water bath now - you want it close to the boiling point by the time you are ready to add your jars.
• Wash cucumbers - making sure to scrub the skin thoroughly.
• Cut off each end of the cucumber, and slice, dice or spear as desired.
• In a medium sauce pan, over medium high heat, bring vinegar, water and salt to a boil.
• In each jar, add 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of dill seed, and 1/2 teaspoon of peppercorns to the bottom.
• Pack cucumbers tightly into each jar.
• Pour hot brine over cucumbers, leaving 1/4 inch head space at the top of each jar.
• Run a plastic utensil on the inside of the jar to release any air bubbles.
• Add 1/2 of a grape leaf on top of the cucumbers.
• Wipe top of jar with a clean damp cloth, add hot lid and band.
• Place in hot water bath and process for 10 minutes at a rolling boil. (Adjust time based on altitude as required)
• Remove jars with a jar lifter and place on a thick towel and let cool at room temperature for 24 hours.

DILL PICKLES

Steps:

• 1. Make sure you use a pickling cucumber that is firm. Clean cucumber, cut off blossom end. The blossom end can cause your pickles to become soft and dark if left on.
• 2. Soak cukes in an ice water bath for about 4 hours, adding ice as needed. This will help keep the pickles crunchy.
• 3. Sterilize 14 to 16 pin jars or 7 to 8 quart jars.
• 4. Cut cucumbers into slices or spears if desired.
• 5. In a large stock pot, combine the vinegar, water and salt. Bring brine to a rapid boil.
• 6. Meanwhile, place garlic, hot pepper and dill to taste (I use 1 or 2 large cloves garlic per jar, 1 pepper and 2 heads of dill) and 2 small grape leaves (the grape leaves are optional but if you have them available - don't leave them out - they will keep your pickles crunchy!). Also, when I can not find fresh I use about 1/4 tsp dried dill per pint jar. Add 1/8 tsp of Pickle Crisp Granules per pint jar. This also helps keep the pickles crisp and crunchy.
• 7. Fill jars with the cucumbers and then add brine (it should be boiling as you add it). Using a spatula, remove air bubbles, clean the rim of the jars and seal.
• 8. TO PROCESS OR NOT PROCESS: These pickles can be processed in a hot water bath for 10 minutes, which makes them shelf stable for around a year. The downside is that the hot water processing will cook the cucumbers a bit and can sometimes give the pickles a softer texture. If super-crunchy pickles are your aim, skip the processing step and just keep the jars in the fridge, they will keep refrigerated for several weeks.
• 9. Store jars in a dark space for 6 to 8 weeks before opening. The longer you can wait to open the pickles, the better tasting they will be. Sometimes they get opened much quicker and they still taste wonderful!

YUMMY REFRIGERATOR DILL PICKLES

Steps:

• Use large canning jar.
• Place 2-3 cloves garlic, grape leaves (optional), and a couple sprigs of dill on the bottom of each jar.
• Boil together 2 quarts water, vinegar, salt, and sugar.
• Stir, turn off and let cool.
• Pack jars with cucumbers and pour cooled solution to completely cover cucumbers.
• Refrigerate and ready in 3-4 days.