...and we decided to go with WHITE vinegar.
Same ingredients as before:
- pickling cucumbers
- baby white onions
- garlic cloves
- fresh jalepenos
- white vinegar
- salt
- spices
- lemon (+ zested rind)
- fresh dill (our new addition)
First things first: slice up the cucumbers in quarters. (For extra crunchiness let them soak in cold water with a little bit of vinegar and lime juice before you lather them in spices.)
Next: chop chop chop and place veggies in jars, while drinking your favorite beer:
Then: boil the brine. I have been using a 1:2 ratio of vinegar to water. if you want a less potent pickle, scale back on the vinegar. With this solution I added a good heap of salt, (that will dissolve) then added the spices: dry dill, white pepper, whole peppercorns, crushed red pepper flakes. You can't go wrong. There is a spice in some grocery stores called "pickling spice," and you can find the recipe to make your own here. I say, use what you have, and use what you love. I repeat, you can't go wrong!
Finally: fill the jars
and enjoy!
TIPS:
1. If you choose to chop jalepenos with your bare (bear) hands, make sure to take out your contacts before you cut them open.
2. If you put too many spices in the brine and let it boil long enough to fill your house/apartment (say 30 min), your eyes will water, you may not be able to breathe, and you'll cough up something like the Lochness monster (see: Phil) until fully ventilated.
