Pickling & Relishes

Kosher Dill Pickle Spears

Pickling & Relishes

Kosher Dill Pickle Spears

A classic pickle with big flavor and plenty of crunch.

Makes:

about 4 Pint Jars

Prep:

20 Minutes

Processing Time:

15 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

2 ½ lbs. 3-4 inch pickling cucumbers

2- ½ cups water

2 cups white vinegar (5% acidity)

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup pickling salt

Ball® Pickle Crisp

4 cloves garlic

4 small bay leaves

12 dill sprigs

2 tsp yellow mustard seeds

4 small hot peppers (optional)

Water Bath Canning

DIRECTIONS

FIRST, LET'S PREP!

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Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars in simmering water until ready to use, do not boil. Wash lids in warm soapy water and set aside with bands.

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Wash cucumbers and hot peppers in cold water. Slice 1/16 of an inch off the blossom end of each cucumber; trim stem ends so cucumbers measure about 3 inches. Cut cucumbers into quarters lengthwise.

NEXT, TIME TO COOK!

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Combine water, vinegar, sugar and salt in a small stainless saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower heat to simmer.

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DID YOU KNOW?

To guarantee the most delicious preserved foods, always begin with the best-quality produce at its peak of ripeness.

NEXT, LET'S CAN IT!

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Place 1 garlic clove, 3 dill sprigs, ½ tsp mustard seed, 1 bay leaf, 1 red pepper, and Ball® Pickle Crisp (if desired) into a hot jar. Pack cucumber spears into jar, leaving a ½ inch headspace. Trim any cucumbers that are too tall.

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Ladle hot brine into a hot jar leaving a ½ inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar and apply band, adjust to fingertip tight. Place jar in boiling-water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.

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Water must cover jars by 1 inch. Adjust heat to medium-high, cover canner, and bring water to a rolling boil. Process pint jars 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat and remove cover. Let jars cool 5 minutes. Remove jars from canner; do not retighten bands if loose. Cool 12-24 hours. Check lids for seal, they should not flex when center is pressed.

Tricks of the Trade:

Pickling cucumbers are small, crisp, unwaxed, and needn’t be peeled. Wide mouth jars aren’t essential for pickles, but they do make for easier packing.

HAPPY CANNING!