Dill pickles

[shanti]

I found a deal on pickling cukes, so have decided to make some (dill) pickles! I've never made any before. Anyone have any tips? I've seen the ones for refrigerator dills, which will probably be my choice, but i don't want to screw up. thanks!

[OffWithTheirHeads]

1. Someone here suggested a book "The Joy of Pickling"

I bought a copy and have been having a ball. What part of the country are you in for cukes now. I thought they didn't come in till fall. So, look at my pickled asparagus tips down thread. And let us know how it works out!

[shanti]

2. i'm in cali

but i think they are imported cukes. i'll check out your link - pickled asparagus sounds yummy!

[grasswire]

3. wow, I've never seen pickling cukes this early

Two thoughts:

Cucumbers go bad pretty quickly if they get damp. Best to use them within a couple of days of picking. They will get slimy otherwise, even in the fridge.

It would be useful to know what variety of cukes you are getting. Little knobby things? Or more like a small English variety?

[Denninmi]

4. For a first timer, you might consider using a packaged pickling mix.

We have canned for years, from scratch, and it can be tricky.

Both Ball and Mrs. Wages brands put out several kinds of dill pickle mixes that actually turn out really good, and it makes it virtually foolproof. Your grocery store should carry something along those lines.