Spicy cucumbers with ketchup for the winter: 2 options

You should eat vegetables, especially green vegetables such as cucumbers, peas, cabbage, broccoli, and herbs, raw. Now is also the best time to pickle and preserve vegetables, as well as make jams or simply freeze them.

FoodOboz editorial team has selected 2 delicious recipes for spicy cucumbers, which will be very crispy and flavorful and a great treat in winter.

1. Spicy cucumbers with ketchup

Ingredients:

• water - 1 liter
• cucumbers - 1 kg
• ketchup - 150 g
• sugar - 2 tbsp
• salt - 2 tbsp
• garlic - 2-4 cloves
• bay leaf - 1 pc for each jar
• vinegar - 1 tbsp
• allspice - to taste

Method of preparation:

1. Wash the cucumbers and soak them in ice water for 3-4 hours.
2. Sterilize the jars.
3. Put garlic, allspice, bay leaf and cucumbers on the bottom of each one.
4. Boil water well, pour over the cucumbers and leave for 10-15 minutes.
5. Afterwards, pour the water back into the pot, add salt, sugar, ketchup, and vinegar, mix, bring to a boil again, pour over the cucumbers and close with lids.
6. Turn the jars upside down and leave them to cool completely.

2. Cucumbers in tomato juice

Ingredients:

• сucumbers - 300 g
• tomato juice - 170 ml

• salt - 1 tsp
• garlic - 1 clove
• bay leaf - 1 pc for each jar
• sugar - 1 tbsp
• vinegar - 1/2 tbsp
• peppercorns - 1-2 pcs for each jar
• ground black pepper - 1 tsp

Method of preparation:

1. Wash and soak the cucumbers in water for 1-2 hours.
2. Then cut into three equal parts.
3. Put the chopped garlic, bay leaf and peppercorns in a jar, and top with the cucumbers.
4. Pour boiling water over the cucumbers and leave for 10-15 minutes. Drain.
5. Remove from heat, add vinegar, and mix well.
6. Pour the hot marinade over the cucumbers.
7. Put the jars in a large saucepan, cover them with lids without tightening, pour cold water over the top, put on medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook for another 10 minutes to make the juice boil well.
8. Take out the jars and gently tighten the lids. Turn them over and wrap in a warm towel.