DILL CUCUMBER SLICES

Dill Cucumber Slices image

Pickling is an essential skill for preserving the bounty that comes from the agrarian South. Here, two sons of the South - the cookbook authors Matt and Ted Lee - use the traditional boiling-pot method to preserve cucumber slices. Packing slices instead of whole cucumbers allows greater volume per jar, and slices are easier to serve. These pickles, adapted from a recipe used at Stone Barns in New York, get some slight heat and personality from garlic and chilies. The latter can be omitted for a milder end result.

Provided by The New York Times

Time 45m

Yield 2 quarts

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

8 medium Kirby cucumbers
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
2 cups Champagne vinegar
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
4 sprigs dill
3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
2 whole dried chilies (optional)

Steps:

Boil a stockpot of water as deep as the shoulder of a quart jar.
Wash cucumbers and slice on a mandoline into 1/8- to 1/4-inch-thick rounds.
In a small saucepan bring sugar, salt, vinegar and 2 cups water to a boil over high heat; remove from heat and set aside.
Distribute peppercorns, dill, garlic and chilies equally between two sterilized 1-quart jars, then pack jars with cucumber slices. Fill each jar with vinegar solution to 1/2-inch from rim.
Partly close jars, leave gap for steam to escape, and place in boiling water for 10 minutes. Carefully remove jars with jar lifter or 2 tongs and close lids tightly. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 24, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 0 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 229 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams