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If you like cucumbers (and this year you have a lot of them), try pickling and preserving at least some of them according to the following recipe. You will see that this unusual side dish will eventually become a regular part of your pantry and you will be unable to imagine some dishes without it. This recipe requires no special chemical additives; it is completely natural and very tasty. If you want to try cucumbers a little differently than you are used to, definitely prepare at least a few jars. The flavor of the brine can be adjusted according to the amount of added ingredients, so you can make it more sour or sweeter depending on what suits you.
Preparation of cucumbers and preserving ingredients
For this recipe you will need the following:
- 3 kg of cucumbers (larger in diameter and length so they grate well and have the necessary size)
- 4 larger onions
- 4 green peppers (standard size; if yours are larger, 1-2 will suffice)
- 4 tablespoons of Vegeta
- 15-20 dkg of sugar, to taste
- 3-4 dl of vinegar, to taste
Z 3 kg of cucumbers you will make approximately 7 standard canning jars (0,7 l).
Preparation of the cucumbers and brine
Before pickling, the cucumbers need to be processed in a special way. The cucumbers should be grated into equally thick slices and then well mixed so that their juice is released. The other solid ingredients are also chopped – peppers into strips, onions into half-moons. Stir vinegar and sugar and the other ingredients into the cucumbers and let the whole mixture stand for 5-6 hours so the flavors can meld.
Canning
Divide the prepared, rested cucumbers into canning jars so that the juice released from the cucumbers is evenly distributed among all the jars. Close the jars and place them in cold or slightly warm water. Then let the temperature rise slowly until it reaches 80 °C. At this temperature the cucumbers are canned for 15-20 min. After removing them from the bath wipe the jars, turn them upside down and let them cool gradually. Only then is it possible to turn them upright again – check the lid to ensure it is properly attached.
