How to pickle cucumbers correctly: 2 unusual ways

It is not an easy task to marinate cucumbers deliciously, so that they are crispy and moderately salty, and also keep for a long time. Often, this dish turns out to be either too salty or soft and tasteless due to improper preparation.

The FoodOboz editorial team has selected 2 ways to cook pickled cucumbers for you, which will make a delicious and successful winter treat.

1. Crispy pickled cucumbers with vinegar

Ingredients:

• Cucumbers - 4 kg

For the marinade:

• salt - 6 tbsp. 
• sugar - 6 tbsp
• vinegar 9% - 150 ml
• currant leaves - 10-15 pcs.
• dill - 150 g
• garlic - 2-3 heads
• cherry leaves - 10 pcs.
• horseradish leaves - 150 g

Method of preparation:

1. Wash the cucumbers, dill, cherry, currant, and horseradish leaves with warm water, and peel the garlic.
2. Wash the jars and sterilize them in the oven or in the microwave.
3. Put pre-washed leaves and 2-3 cloves of garlic in each jar.
4. After that, you can put in the cucumbers.
5. Boil water well and pour boiling water into each jar for 5-10 minutes, then drain.
6. For the marinade: boil 3 liters of water well, add salt, sugar, and vinegar, and boil for 2-3 minutes to dissolve the sugar.
7. Pour the hot marinade over the cucumbers and quickly roll them up, turn them upside down, and cover them with something warm.
8. When the jars have cooled completely, place them in a cool, dark place.

2. Pickled cucumbers with vodka

Ingredients:

• cucumbers - 1 kg
• garlic - 2-3 cloves.
• vodka - 1 tbsp.
• bay leaf - 1 pc.
• currant leaf - 1-2 pcs.
• cherry leaf - 2-3 pcs.
• peppercorns - 4-5 pcs.
• allspice peppercorns - 1 pc.
• dill (sprigs or umbrellas) - 1 pc.
• salt - 1.5 tsp.
• vinegar 9% - 1 tbsp.
• sugar - 1/4 tsp.
• water - 5 liters

Method of preparation:

1. Wash the cucumbers well, cut off the tips, and wash the currant leaves, cherries, and dill thoroughly.
2. Sterilize the jars.
3. Then put currant leaves, cherries, dill, and bay leaves on the bottom of each jar. Add the garlic and peppercorns, and put the cucumbers in tightly.
4. For the marinade: pour water into a saucepan and bring to a boil, add vodka.
5. Pour salt and sugar into each jar and add vinegar, pour the brine over everything and roll up.
6. Then turn the jars over and wrap them up.