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"Picklin' and a Grinnin' in the Hill Country"
April 27, 2011
It was just a week and a half ago when we harvested our first pickling cucumbers... "Awwww, aren't they cute, Larry?" "Yep, they're cute." (Insert Larry's eyes rolling here) They WERE cute...just like newborn babies. I looked at them in awe and wonderment...the perfect pickling size with gnarly deep green exteriors. "They will make fine pickles.” I thought to myself. I gingerly washed them, put them in a storage bag and put it on the bottom shelf of our fridge. I had waited a long time for those cucumbers...just like one would wait for the birth of a child. Ahhh...gardening life is good!
The honeymoon stage of my newly birthed pickles
was clearly over within just a few days ofthat first pickin. I noticed that each time I went out to pick pickles I was coming back with six...then seven...then 10...then 15 each time. Before we knew it...we were running out of space in our fridge and I knew it was time to start canning. So...last night was the big night. I started the process late afternoon and finished drying my last dish around 9 p.m. Not bad for 17 jars of pickles...hand sliced and canned right in our country kitchen.
I immediately posted my accomplishment on Facebook and was surprised at the huge number of "likes" and comments I got from people...all wanting some homemade pickles. One friend 
commented that she was sure it was a lot of hard work...but worth it. I responded..."actually it isn't hard at all...but definitely worth it!" So...here's my "secret" to making amazing homemade pickles for your pantry shelves. All you need is a big pot, jars, lids and rims, vinegar, water, about 9-10 pounds of pickling cucumbers and Mrs. Wages Dill Mix. You read that right...my secret recipe for brine is a pre-packaged mix that is better than anything I have ever put together. The other secret is using fresh cucumbers and ones that are not overly "done"...meaning...fat from too much water or growth. Don't have a garden??? Not a problem... Farmer's markets are starting up everywhere and many
have pickling cucumbers that you can buy. The best way to learn the process is from one of my favorite canning web sites called, "Pick Your Own". It will give you step by step instructions on how you can make your own pickles. Here's the link: http://www.pickyourown.org/makingpickles.htm