I wanted to pickle everything in the world, in every possible way, but had to keep it to 3 containers for now, due to the lack of empty ball jars and containers in the pantry! Although I've had fun pickling things like turnips and beans in the past, I kept it traditional with cucumbers this time — and then put them in weird stuff! These are in 1/2-size deli containers, so think about the ingredients in the context of that much water.

It's all still brining away in the fridge, and I'll give you taste update when it's time, but here are the details of the experiments:

No. 1: Vaguely Traditional

pickling cukes, sliced into flat chips
1/4 c raw organic cider vinegar from a farm in Maine
1 tsp pickling salt
1/4 tsp organic mixed smoked peppercorns (crushed)
1/4 tsp paprika
tons of fresh dill
water

No. 2: Spice Mania

crinkle-cut English cucumber chips
1/4c rice wine vinegar
1 habanero pepper, roughly sliced
1 TBS chopped fresh garlic ramps
2 TBS pickling salt
water

No. 3: Indian Curry

crinkle-cut English cucumber chips
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp red chili powder
1/4 tsp cumin (powder)
1 tsp pickling salt
1/4 tsp cardamum
1/4 tsp ginger (powder)
1/4 tsp yellow mustard (powder)
1/8 tsp cloves (powder)
1/4 tsp fennel seeds
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
water

UPDATE: The Verdicts

After some weeks of happy brining in the fridge, here's how I think they came out:

No. 1: Vaguely Traditional

These are pretty good! Very dilly and quite a nice flavor pop for a sandwich. Thumbs up.

No. 2: Spice Mania

Painfully hot and garlicky, but I like them. A lot. There's something very fresh and "real" about the habenero and ramps... tastes like a farmers' market mouth inferno. The crinkle cut really adds something too.

No. 3: Indian Curry

I'm an ardent fan of of cooking and eating Indian food, but these are just too weird. The spices don't really work that well with the cucumber taste. I'm thinking one should stick to the crazy pickles that Indian people make (those tangy pickled mangoes that make your face practically pucker off!) if one wants Indian pickles.

And that's my pickle story.

Thank you.

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