Quick Pickles - Everyday Food with Sarah Carey

Summary

This video script offers a straightforward guide to making quick pickles at home. It emphasizes the simplicity of the process, which involves slicing cucumbers, salting them, and then placing them in a vinegar brine with sugar, salt, mustard seed, celery seed, and turmeric. The recipe is adaptable for various vegetables and can be easily shared with friends. The video also suggests visiting freshpreserving.com for more pickling techniques.

Takeaways

• 🥒 **Quick Pickles**: The video focuses on making quick pickles which are easy to prepare at home.
• 🧅 **Few Ingredients Needed**: Only a few ingredients are required, such as cucumbers, vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices.
• 🔪 **Cucumber Preparation**: Cucumbers should be sliced thinly and preferably have few seeds for better pickling results.
• ⏰ **Time-Efficient**: The process is quick, allowing for pickling even with limited time or ingredients.
• 🧊 **Crispness Tip**: Adding ice to the cucumbers can help make them crisper during the pickling process.
• 🥫 **Refrigeration Required**: Since these pickles aren't fermented, they need to be refrigerated.
• 📚 **Resource Recommendation**: The video suggests visiting freshpreserving.com for more pickling information.
• 🍃 **Dill Addition**: Dill is added for flavor, but it's optional based on personal preference.
• 🥘 **Versatility**: The pickling method can be applied to various vegetables, not just cucumbers.
• 🍯 **Adjustable Sweetness**: The amount of sugar can be adjusted to suit different tastes, from sweet to less sweet.
• 🌶️ **Spice Option**: For a spicier pickle, chili peppers can be added to the brine.

Q & A

What type of pickles is the speaker making in the script?

The speaker is making quick pickles, which are easier and quicker to prepare compared to traditional fermented pickles.

How many cucumbers does the speaker recommend for pickling?

The speaker uses two English cucumbers but suggests that Kirby cucumbers are even better for pickling, and eight of them would be needed to make two jars.

What is the recommended thickness for slicing cucumbers for quick pickles?

The recommended thickness for slicing cucumbers is about an eighth of an inch.

Can the size or shape of the cucumber slices affect the pickling process?

The size or shape of the cucumber slices does not significantly affect the pickling process as long as they are in a vinegar brine that can penetrate and flavor the entire cucumber.

What type of cucumbers should be avoided for pickling according to the script?

Regular cucumbers with many seeds, like salad cucumbers, should be avoided for pickling as they are not ideal.

How long should the cucumbers be left to sit with salt before pickling?

The cucumbers should be left to sit with salt for up to 3 hours. The speaker suggests refrigerating them or adding ice to make them crisper.

What is the purpose of rinsing the cucumbers after they have been salted?

Rinsing the cucumbers after salting is to remove excess salt before placing them into jars for pickling.

What additional vegetables can be pickled using the same brine recipe mentioned in the script?

The same brine can be used to quick pickle various vegetables such as fennel, red pearl onions, and green beans.

What are the key ingredients in the brine recipe used for the quick pickles?

The key ingredients in the brine recipe are white vinegar, sugar, coarse salt, mustard seed, celery seed, and turmeric.

How much sugar is used in the brine recipe and can it be adjusted?

The recipe calls for 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar, but it can be adjusted to taste, as some people may prefer less sweetness in their pickles.

What is the final step before storing the pickles in the refrigerator?

The final step before storing the pickles in the refrigerator is to ensure they have cooled to room temperature.