Marinated cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetables are favorite snacks for many, especially in winter. The human body is designed so that it needs a constant supply of vitamins. They provide our health, strengthen immunity. It is known that the lion's share of vitamins is found in vegetables and fruits. And in winter, when fresh fruits and vegetables are brought from warm countries and they are not cheap, spins save us.
The most favorable time for pickling and pickling vegetables is the period of their maturity. For cucumbers this time falls on July-August. Their abundance and low cost allow you to make the right amount of spins. That is why marinating cucumbers for the winter is included in the plans of most housewives, who are engaged in twists. We offer you to familiarize yourself with the main recipes for pickling, canning and pickling cucumbers.
How to cook marinated cucumbers?
The most delicious marinated cucumbers are obtained in July. At this time, these vegetables are just beginning to ripen and have not yet lost their dense structure.
Before pickling cucumbers should be thoroughly washed and prepared. Preparation consists in soaking vegetables with cold water for several hours. This makes pickled cucumbers more crispy and strong. Cucumbers should be cut off, which allows vegetables to be marinated better. In addition, the tops of cucumbers are concentrated nitrates.
The next stage in the preparation of delicious marinated cucumbers is the preparation of seasonings. Most recipes for pickled cucumbers for the winter contain: garlic, sweet pepper, bell pepper, dill, bay leaf, cloves. When choosing spices should be based on your own taste. It is spices that give the pickled cucumbers their scent. Marinated cucumbers with citric acid are more acidic, with mustard - sharper, and with horseradish and currant leaves - more spicy. All seasonings and supplements are best placed on the bottom of the cans. In addition to herbs and spices, you can add onion, various berries, carrots to the jar.
Pickling and pickling cucumbers differ from each other in the composition of the liquid to which they are poured. At the heart of the marinade, as a rule, there are three components: salt, sugar, acid. Sugar can be replaced with honey. The acid may be represented by vinegar or citric acid. Marinating cucumbers with citric acid is less common.
There are two main ways of pickling cucumbers:
- marinating cucumbers with sterilization. This method is used for long-term storage of cucumbers. Banks without lids are lowered into cold water, poured into them a cold marinade and bring the water to a boil. Time of sterilization of small cans is 7-8 minutes, three-liter - up to 25 minutes;
- marinating cucumbers without sterilization. This method can be used when the marinade contains a large amount of vinegar or other acid. Cucumbers need to be poured with boiling water several times, and the last time - with a hot marinade with condiments. Marinating cucumbers without sterilization is faster than with sterilization.
Another way has been widely recognized by modern housewives - marinating cucumbers in Bulgarian. This method differs from the previous ones in that cucumbers are placed in a large saucepan, filled with water, salt, sugar and vinegar are added, and boiled for 5-7 minutes. After that, hot cucumbers lay out on cans, pour marinade and roll. It is believed that in cans with pickled cucumbers in Bulgarian less often swells
Delicacy of pickled cucumber:
- After sterilization, jars of cucumbers must be placed in cold water. This allows you to keep the elasticity of cucumbers;
- The most delicious pickled cucumbers are obtained one year after canning;
- cut pickled cucumbers are more spicy, because they are more saturated with marinade.
Pickling and pickling cucumbers is a laborious, but extraordinarily creative process. Use different recipes and marinate the best cucumbers for your entire family.