How to Make Pickles from Scratch

Almost every culture around the world has their own art of making pickles at home. Brine solution; oil; herbs; and spices, like mustard seeds, cloves, garlic, cinnamon, etc., are used in its making. The origin of the term is from the Dutch word pekel, which means brine. In the United States and Canada, the word pickle means pickled cucumber.

If other vegetables are used, then the name of the vegetable is used after the word pickled. Pickles were made since ancient times to preserve out-of-season foods, using salt as the main ingredient. When sailors used to set sail, they often carried salted pork and beef with them.

It is said that cucumbers were grown only in India, in ancient times. Therefore, they were brought from India and were pickled so that they could be preserved. Although the aim was to preserve food, people also took to eating pickles, because they lent a great flavor to the foods.

➜ Over time, pickle recipes may have undergone a lot of change: however, the change has not been drastic. A major change has occurred in the kind of utensils being used.
➜ While making pickles from scratch, the ingredients used include pickling salt, pickling spices, herbs, and vinegar.

If you want to make sweet pickles, then salt makes way for sugar.
➜ It is necessary to pick the right kind of cucumbers to make pickles to prevent the pickle from spoiling. You can conduct a hollowness test on the cucumber before using them.

This recipe does not cook the ingredients. The pickle is ready to be savored 10 to 15 days after it is made.

Ingredients

• Sliced cucumbers: 12
• Sugar: 4 cups
• White vinegar: 4 cups
• Pickling salt: ½ cup
• Coriander seeds: 1½ tsp.
• Turmeric powder: 1⅓ tsp.

• Celery seeds: 1⅓ tsp.
• Mustard seeds: 1⅓ tsp.
• Alum powder: 1 tsp.

Preparation

• In a bowl, mix sugar, vinegar, alum powder, and pickling salt till all the ingredients dissolve well.
• Then, add coriander seeds, turmeric powder, celery seeds, and mustard seeds to the mixture.

• Take a large jar and place sliced cucumbers at the bottom of the jar.
• Pour the mixture on the cucumber, and place the jar in the refrigerator.
• When the cucumbers change color, this sour pickle is ready to be savored.
• Please remember to stir the pickle at regular intervals.

This one is a traditional pickle recipe, which has been used for a number of centuries. If you want to make pickles without canning, then opt for this one.

Ingredients

• Pickling cucumbers: 12
• Garlic cloves (chopped): 8
• Water: 2 cups
• Distilled white vinegar: 1¾ cup
• Fresh dill (chopped): 1½ cup
• Sugar: ½ cup
• Coarse salt: 1½ tbsp.

• Pickling spice: 1 tbsp.
• Dill seed: 1½ tsp.
• Dried crushed red pepper: ½ tsp.

Preparation

• Except the dill sprigs, mix all the ingredients in a large bowl.
• Stir the ingredients so that they combine properly.
• Leave the mixture aside for 2 hours so that the sugar and salt dissolve completely.
• Transfer half the cucumber slices into one jar and the other half into another.

• Then, pour the sugar mixture in equal quantities.
• Now, top it up with dill sprigs.
• Next, close the jars tightly.
• Let the pickle refrigerate for 8 to 10 days before you start using it to enhance the flavor of your meals.
• It is important to keep the pickle refrigerated, else it may go bad.

You may want to take a look at some more pickle recipes:

• Green Tomato Pickles
• Bread and Butter Pickles

Likewise, you can also try the Christmas pickles recipe to make pickles for the festive season. If you are fond of canning, then these pickle recipes are just for you.