The countryside of the Hamptons is peppered with farm stands and every spring, when they open, the small Kirby cucumbers beg me to take them home and make them into these slightly sweet dill pickles. I love everything about making these pickles, especially the simplicity. We take these on our picnics all summer long and I bring them as gifts to friends as well. Everyone seems to appreciate receiving something homemade.
Photo by Claudia Ward, 2010 All Rights Reserved
Slightly Sweet Dill Pickles
Makes 2 Quarts
1 Small sweet onion (Vidalia), sliced thin
2 Pounds medium Kirby cucumbers (about 8), cleaned and sliced 1/4 inch pieces
1 Large bunch of dill, coarsely chopped (stems included)
1 Tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
2 Teaspoons whole white peppercorns
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 Cup water
1 Cup sugar
3 Tablespoons coarse kosher salt
2 Teaspoons dill seed
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- Divide sliced onion between two 1-quart wide-mouth glass jars.
- Pack cucumbers slices horizontally in jars.
- Top each jar with dill.
- Using a mortar and pestle or a resealable plastic bag and mallet, crush mustard seeds and peppercorns together.
- Place crushed spices in medium saucepan.
- Add vinegar, 1 cup water, sugar, salt, and dill seeds.
- Bring mixture to boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Ladle mixture evenly over cucumbers.
- Leave jars uncovered and chill 24 hours.
- Cover pickle jars tightly with lids.
- Keep refrigerated.
What's wonderful is there's no need to sterilize the jars and lids, although I do recommend washing the jars in soapy water.
Make a batch or two, you won't be disppointed.
Barbara, I did see the Tarte Tatin on French-Word-A-Day and want to try it!
Posted by: Claudia | Friday, July 02, 2010 at 05:19 PM
Ally, Good and easy!!!
Posted by: Claudia | Friday, July 02, 2010 at 05:18 PM
these really look great- can't wait to try them!
Posted by: ally | Friday, July 02, 2010 at 11:41 AM
gosh they look marvelous, absolutely wonderful. i can just smell their sweet essence now. thanks for sharing yet another super recipe. have you seen the tarte tatin from fwad. omgosh!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Barbara Andolsek Paintings | Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 12:48 PM
I have been wanting this recipe ever since I saw you make them last summer!!!! Can't wait to try this recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Sally | Friday, June 25, 2010 at 10:29 PM
One of my workmates here has a small farm...he has a small special batch that he makes with Captain Morgan's! I tend to shy away from sweet pickles but these are in the OMG category.
Posted by: Charlie | Friday, June 25, 2010 at 10:27 AM