We have a garden. I know I haven't said a word about it but it's true and maybe my next post will be all about it. Problem is my camera is broken so we'll have to figure that out. Anyways, we have cucumbers coming out of our ears. J.Paul decided we need to start making some pickles or they're all going to go to waste because really, how many cucumbers can you eat? We studied up on the internet here and borrowed a bunch of canning supplies from J.Paul's mom. We planned on doing this Saturday but I realized I wouldn't have time because I was getting things ready for a shower I was helping with. J.Paul took matters into his own hands and got to canning! So we can now add canning to the list of things J.Paul can do. Sunday after church I was so excited to taste the pickles, but was a little suprised. They had a good flavor, but well, they were mush. Texture was absolutely disgusting. There are 2 possible reasons for this. 1. The cucumbers we used are slicing cucumbers, not pickling cucumbers (but they were firm).
2. J.Paul pressure cooked them and you are only supposed to put them in a hot water bath. I think we will give it a go again unless one of you canning experts out there tells us it's useless to try with the cucumbers we have.
(This is not our picture since I mentioned our camera isn't working right now, but this is pretty much how ours looked. Jenn, we used the Mrs. Wages mix, do you know if that's what Ma uses?)
2 comments:
One pickle recipe
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/dill-pickles-recipe/index.html
Okay, I just talked to Ma. She uses the Mrs. Wages kosher dill mix...so it sounds like you used the same one. I told her you pressure cooked them and I heard a huge intake of breathe. That is a big no no according to Ma. She said after you put in the cukes and the vinegar brine and then wipe the top of the jar and put on the lid that is it (wiping the top of the jar is an important step). Cover them with a towel and skip even the 10 minute hot water bath or you will have soggy pickles. She said she doesn't know why the mix says to do that. She says she prefers pickling cucumbers but you can use any kind. Hope this helps. Jen
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