Pickling Gerkins

[Gillian]

I have two gerkins plants that that are happily producing. I will need to start pickling them soon but I don't know how to do it? I know you put them in vinegar but do I need to do anything beforehand?
My husband is American and he said he likes the ones he used to have at home. We did buy some from the supermarket but they tasted quite sweet and he said he didn't like them. Is there an American way to pickle?
This is my first pickling attempt so sorry for all the stupid questions!

[Gillian]

[flowerlady]

Hello Gillian,

Can you give me some idea of the tastes and flavours that your husband likes. 

Cornichons are sometimes done with dill and mustard seed.  Do you like sweet or unsweetened vinegar.  What about chillies?

The American book that I have talks of White Wine herb vinegar, also tarragon, and wild thyme.

I'll keep digging!

[littlegem]

HI. Like pickling onions, you need to soak gherkins in brine for 24hrs, 1lb salt to 1ltr water. then rinse about 2 times. Make sure you sterilise your bottles by washing in hot soapy water, then putting in oven, (and lids if metal) making sure they're not touching each other, for about 10/15 mins on about 80c. allow to cool before putting in veg, then put in your spices, cloves or whatever you are using and cover with vinegar and with about 1/2inch over on the top of veg.
I've just pickled my shallots and cucumber. Yummy

[Doris_Pinks]

My Hubby also from across the seas, loves Mrs Elswood Haimisha Pickled Cucumbers , we get them from Tescos, and he says they are the closest he has tasted over here to the American ones!
It says they contain on the label............Cucumbers 60%, Acetic Acid, salt onion, spices, flavouring, firming agent (calcium Chloride) colour E101.....Ekk they add colour!!!
Looks like the spice is yellow mustard seeds
Or there is always good Ol Martha

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=recipe2827&contentGroup=MSL&site=living

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel190146&contentGroup=MSL&site=living

Hope this helps
DP

[fbgrifter]

I don't suppose anyone here knows what goes into the really strong french cornichons - such as maille and amora?  is it just dill and mustard?  wine vinegar?  gosh and to think that my grandma used to make them by the barrow load!

[Doris_Pinks]

Found this on the net FB

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/recipes/appetizers/pickles/cornichons.html 

[flowerlady]

Gillian,

I think I may have found a recipe for your husband's gherkins!! ;)

http://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=Sweet%20gherkin%20pickles :D

The astray site also has some other amazing recipes, definitely worth a gander.   187,862 to be exact!! ;D

[Looby Loo]

Just tried some of the gerkins I did a couple of weeks ago and they taste pretty good.  Try this recipe.  It's an adapted version of one I found in an American preserving book.

Dill Pickles

6 tbls pickling salt
4 tbls sugar
6 cups cider vinegar
6 cups water
2 tbls pickling spices (I used fennel sees and peppercorns)
16-17lbs gerkins
21 large dill heads or 7tbls dill seed
7 whole dried cayenne peppers

Soak gerkins in salty water for a couple of hours or overnight beforehand.  Heat the vinegar, water, salt, sugar and spices to boiling.  Pack the gerkins into hot sterilised jars with the dill throughout the jar.  Pour over the hot vinegar and seal the jars making sure you leave at least 10mm gap at the top.  The brine can react with metal lids.  Leave for a couple of weeks before tucking in.

[flowerlady]

Lobby Loo,

Peases can you tell me where you have found a large supply of dill / fennel seed?

Supermarkets don't seem to supply them :(