Dilled Cucumber Spears Recipes

REFRIGERATED DILL PICKLES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 5 1/2 cups water, both types of vinegar, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring several times; boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Wash cucumbers and slice in half crosswise. Cut pieces in half lengthwise and then cut into spears (approximately 12 spears from each cucumber, depending on the size of the cucumber).
• Place half of dill springs in a clean plastic 5-quart ice cream pail or large jar. Add the cucumber spears, pickling spice, and remaining dill sprigs.
• Slice the garlic cloves in half and add to pail.
• Pour the cooled vinegar mixture over cucumbers. Set a plate on top and press down lightly to submerge cucumbers in liquid. This ensures that each cucumber will soak in the brine and turn into a delicious pickle!
• Cover and let the pickles sit at room temperature for 24 hours, stirring once or twice. Place the pail the the refrigerator to store pickles for up to 1 month.

GRANDMA'S DILL PICKLES

Steps:

• In a stockpot, bring water, vinegar and salt to a boil; boil 10 minutes. Pack cucumbers into nine hot quart jars within 1/2 in. of top. Place one dill head, two garlic cloves and two peppers in each jar. , Carefully ladle hot mixture into jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. . Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 15 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

REFRIGERATOR GARLIC DILL SPEARS

Steps:

• Divide garlic, dill, and peppercorns between 2 clean quart jars. Wash cucumbers and trim away blossom ends. Cut each into 6 to 8 spears. Pack spears vertically and snugly into jars.
• Stir together vinegar, water, and salt in a small nonreactive pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir and reduce heat, if necessary, until salt dissolves. Remove from heat. Pour or ladle hot brine into jars, covering cucumbers and leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Tap jars gently to remove any air bubbles. Add more brine if necessary to leave 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe rims clean with a damp paper towel.
• Let cool completely to room temperature, about 1 hour. Apply clean lids. Refrigerate at least 48 hours before eating for best flavor. (Flavor improves with time.) Store in refrigerator up to 1 month.

CUCUMBER DILL SPEARS AND CHIPS

Steps:

• 1. Dissolve the salt in the water, and add the coriander, fennel, and dill. Set aside.
• 2. Scrub the cucumbers well, rubbing off any spines. Cut away a thin round from the stem and blossom ends, and slice lengthwise into quarters. Put the spears in a large bowl, and cover with the brine. Weight the cucumbers with a plate, cover the bowl with a kitchen towel, and set aside for 24 hours. If the bowl won't fit in your refrigerator, it's fine to leave it out at room temperature.
• 3. The next day, pack the cucumber spears into two scalded quart jars, saving the brine. Measure out 2 cups of the brine and reserve. Strain the remaining brine through a fine sieve to capture the aromatics, and divide them between the jars. Tuck a dill head and two cloves of garlic into each jar.
• 4. Mix the vinegar and the 2 cups reserved brine, and bring to a boil. Pour it over the pickles to cover. Seal the jars, and store in the refrigerator for a week before using. For long-term shelf storage, leave 1/2 inch headspace when filling the jars, then seal. Process in a boiling-water bath for 10 minutes, or in a hot-water bath, between 180 and 185 degrees, for 30 minutes.

DILLED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Place cucumber slices in a medium bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir in dill and sour cream. Chill until ready to serve.