Making of the semi-pickled cucumber is a tradition in my house. Actually making cucumbers is a must do every summer. Therefore we make pickled, semi-pickled cucumbers and gherkin. Do not worry we will have for you the remaining cucumber recipes later in the summer.
Why should you eat cucumbers?
Eating this vegetable is good for everyone! Thanks to alkalizing compounds contained in it, the cucumber has effective deacidifying properties and helps in removing excess water from the body. In addition, the product contains a lot of vitamin C which strengthens the immune system. Majority of it is found in its skin, especially in pickled cucumbers. While enjoying the taste of vegetables, you will provide yourself with a dose of vitamin A that positively affects, among others for eyesight and B group vitamins.
Cucumber mainly consists of water, which makes it extremely easy to digest and contains a small number of calories. 100 grams of green cucumber is only 15 calories. The medium size semi-pickled cucumber has 10 calories.
What kind of cucumbers should be used to make semi-pickled cucumber?
To make semi-pickled cucumbers you have to use the right ingredients. The most important are the cucumbers. I know it is such a huge surprise!
Among the cucumbers, there are three main varieties. The first of these is ground cucumber, which is characterized by rough skin and size reach up to 15 cm. Greenhouse cucumber is a variety that is available all year round on store shelves. This vegetable is long and has a smooth, intensely green crust. Among the green cucumbers can also be distinguished gherkins, which are small in size and perfectly suitable for marinades.
Therefore for this recipe we recommend using, either ground or gherkin cucumber.
Now you know why and which cucumber to chose. So lets get to making some semi-pickled cucumbers.
Ingredients for semi-pickled cucumber
- 8 medium sized cucumbers (per jar)
- garlic cloves (2 per jar),
- dill (the flower is best),
- horseradish leaf,
- horseradish root (1cm per jar)
- 1 l of water
- 1 1/2 tbsp of salt
This ingredients list is for a jar 0.9l
Method:
- Firstly wash cucumbers in cold water. It is best to leave them in a cold water bath for a few hours or even overnight.
- In the jar put garlic cloves, dill flower, horseradish root and leaf.
- Then put in the cucumbers. Make sure they are nice and tightly fitted in there.
- Boil the water. Once it is boiled in a separate bowl mix in the water and salt. Mix it up so the salt is nice and incorporated.
- Add the water to the jar so the cucumbers are fully submerged (not all water might be used up).
- Leave it aside in a shade for 1-2 days.
Tip. If you want to make them quicker cut the very ends of the cucumbers and the time to get them ready be cut in half.
They will be good for 3-4 days. The longer the semi-pickled cucumber will be in the jar the sourer they will get. It is not so they are going bad they will just lose their taste of freshness and saltiness that distinguishes them!
Are you interested to make some preserves at home? Here is our selection of best home-made recipes for preserves.
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