Well, it's that time again; all your hard work has paid off and it's time to gather up all the season's produce for next winter. I have posted about my canning before so you can type in pickles and get the recipe for my dills. Yes, these are the same dills that were chosen to appear in Smith and Hawken's Community Gardener's Cookbook. Okay, so big deal. But, may I say these are the best dill pickles you will ever eat. Guaranteed!
Found one I missed this evening. It is very easy to do. I always overplant which makes them harder to find. This one was about 5 inches long which is a perfect size for pickling.
I filled my basket up with pickling cucumbers last evening (and a couple of fairy eggplants). Don't use salad type cucumbers as they won't turn out the same.
The alum makes them extra crunchy, but a fresh grape leaf will do the trick too. Always use fresh - garlic, dill and the cukes. It looks so much prettier in the jar. It is okay to use dried peppers.
Here is the finished product. It'll be ready in about a month - it takes that long for the flavors to meld. Crunchy, sour and salty with a tiny bite from the pepper. These are stored in the refrigerator and will be just as good a year from now as they will be in a month. None better!These dill pickles are easy to make. I have sold them at shows, flea markets, and just by word of mouth. I have had many past customers call and ask for them and finally have quite a following. I would like to start a business selling these and other pickles as well as jellies and jams. I have had many say they would love to market them for me, but I fear taking on too much debt. I researched one guy who sold pickles through supermarkets. He didn't even have to grow the pickles, nor can them. A factory did that for him. So I guess all he did was to market them to grocers. I would like to do that too. Farmer's Markets are good, but to really sell the product you would have to be in many markets. I just don't know where to start. I don't have a business head, and I'm not sure I want one.
8 comments:
Oh my...these sound so good. I've never made pickles before but would like to try...thanks!
xo bj
Brings back a lot of memories of canning and gardening with my Momma, when she could. Great photos.
Yummmm...been a long time since I made any pickles, Granny's bread n butters and dills and watermelon...the only thing I can these days is tomatoes. We've had such strange weather this past couple of years, cold, wet, windy springs that I've had terrible times with wilt and blight. My tomatoes again this year look like they could drop dead at any moment, hope I get something other than fried green tomatoes off of them...however they are me and the dog's faves, can't believe she likes them, but she's a veggie lover...just like me!
Keep enjoying this summer, we'll take all of it they can dish out!!!
I don't can...that's what grocers are for, but I have a friend who does. I have got to show her your pickles. I don't know if she puts a pepper in hers or not. Those jars are absolutely beautiful. That photo just screams summertime!
Debbie
I love the addition of the red pepper! And I love the look and taste of home canned things..Feels like home~ It's pretty on your tablecloth/kitchen towel outside:)
Oh, wow! I am very impressed. Your jars are just beautiful. The dill and peppers are so pretty.
I have only canned tomatoes, it was so much work...
Your pickles are absolutely beautiful, I would just like to look at them sitting on the larder shelf.
I MUST get more domesticated and try this recipe !
Just so tasty looking.
Such a great accomplishment, canning! I have never done it, but am in awe of those who do. Good luck if you decide to take to market!
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