Comments on Family Feedbag: Garlic dill pickles

You would need a longer process, but I don't h...

2015-08-29T19:56:25.770-07:00

You would need a longer process, but I don't have the research-based processing times handy on that. You might find processing times for larger jars of dill pickles from The National Center for Home Food Preservation online. I like to do mine in 500 mL (2 cup) jars, otherwise the longer processing could over-soften the cucumbers nearest the outside of the jar. Hope that helps!

Do you need to process the jars longer if you use ...

2015-08-26T10:06:14.278-07:00

Do you need to process the jars longer if you use larger ones than 500 ml?

Thank you! They are processing now (using cucumbe...

2015-08-24T13:29:18.721-07:00

Thank you! They are processing now (using cucumbers from my garden)....can't wait to try them! :)

Yes, indeed! Kosher is the best alternative if you...

2015-08-24T09:33:14.694-07:00

Yes, indeed! Kosher is the best alternative if you can't find pickling. Just don't use regular table salt as it can cloud your brine. Great question!

Yes, indeed! Kosher is the best alternative if you...

2015-08-24T09:32:29.501-07:00

Yes, indeed! Kosher is the best alternative if you can't find pickling. Just don't use regular table salt as it can cloud your brine. Great question!

2015-08-24T09:30:29.507-07:00

This comment has been removed by the author.

Is it okay to use coarse kosher salt instead of re...

2015-08-24T09:29:51.571-07:00

Is it okay to use coarse kosher salt instead of regular coarse salt? Thank you!

I recently read that you should always cut the blo...

2015-08-09T10:53:07.817-07:00

I recently read that you should always cut the blossom end of the cucumber off as there is an enzyme in it that causes your pickles to be soft and not crunchy. I don't know if there is anything to this, but thought I would share.

ALSO I FOUND OUT THRU EMAILING THE BALL JAR COMPAN...

2015-08-03T11:17:14.082-07:00

ALSO I FOUND OUT THRU EMAILING THE BALL JAR COMPANY THAT YOU CANNOT SUCCESSFULLY MAKE PICKLES FROM BURPLESS CUCUMBERS....22 JARS LATER I FOUND THIS OUT...THEY ALL UNSEALED. I LOST THEM ALL NOT KNOWING THEY WOULD DO THIS. I ALSO CONTACTED MRS WAGES..THE PICKLE PACKAGE THAT YOU BUY TO FIX PICKLES...AND THEY APPOLOGIZED BUT I STILL HAD NO HOMEMADE PICKLES LAST YEAR...I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE TYPE OF CUCUMBER MADE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Susan - Great question! Yes, there is a differe...

2014-06-19T19:43:07.299-07:00

Hi Susan - Great question! Yes, there is a difference. Pickling vinegar is 7% acetic acid, while distilled white vinegar is typically 5% acetic acid. Read the label as vinegar almost always lists the percentage, and never use a vinegar with less than 5% acetic acid, such as rice vinegar, when canning to maintain safe acid levels.

Thanks for your question!

Is there a difference in pickling vineagar and dis...

2014-06-19T19:09:06.977-07:00

Is there a difference in pickling vineagar and distilled vineagar? Thanks

Hi Shelley - Those "little old bitties" ...

2013-08-05T18:51:12.460-07:00

Hi Shelley - Those "little old bitties" have some of the best kitchen tips! To avoid soggy, soft pickles, I can them as soon as possible after coming off the plant. At my garden, I pick 'em right before I can 'em. When I buy a case of cucumbers, I ask when they were picked and choose ones that are firm and not bendy or rubbery, then pickle them right away. Also, I make sure my brine is hot hot hot when it goes in the jars so that the boil on my canner doesn't come down when I add the jars. Nothing leads to soggy pickles more easily than over processing. I hope you enjoy this recipe! It's so, so simple.

I started canning a few years ago and was having t...

2013-08-05T15:15:24.993-07:00

I started canning a few years ago and was having trouble getting my dill pickles to be crunchy. They always end up half cooked and soggy. Then a little old bitty (likely 80 years old) shared with me that you should put a 1/8 tsp alum into each of your jars, and instead of a water bath, put them into the oven at 200 degrees for ONE HOUR ONLY! Using the same 2 part metal lid system. Works like a charm!!!! Super crunchy dills. Thought I would share my find because it took me FOREVER to find this method!!
I'm still trying to perfect the taste of my dills though and am going to try your recipe! I want them to be crispy and really sharp tasting :) Thanks for the post, love your blog!

Hi Joan, 2-piece metal lids with a metal seal and ...

2013-07-20T07:34:32.703-07:00

Hi Joan,
2-piece metal lids with a metal seal and a metal ring band are what's recommended. They're the standard lids that come with a case of mason jars. The ring bands can be reused, but the seals are a one-time use item. You need to leave a half inch of head space with these pickles. Regarding the processing time, I'm going to refer you to these high-altitude pickling recipes from the Colorado State University Extension Office: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09304.html If you use smaller jars, such as pint jars instead of quarts, you can process using shorter times as the temperature in the middle of the jar will be hot enough sooner.
Happy pickling, Joan!
Amy

Hi Amy Can I use the metal lids for the pickles an...

2013-07-20T07:08:27.892-07:00

Hi Amy
Can I use the metal lids for the pickles and if so how much room do I need to leave? Also, I am at 4000 ft elevation and they recommend 24 minutes in the boiling water bath. Do think this will make my pickles soft?
Thanks. Joan

Yay! What a fabulous start to canning for you! I l...

2012-11-05T19:25:50.743-08:00

Yay! What a fabulous start to canning for you! I like your choice of seasonings. Thanks for taking the time to write and tell me you like the recipe :)
Amy

First time ever canning, and I made your pickles t...

2012-11-05T17:31:52.562-08:00

First time ever canning, and I made your pickles this year. We LOVE them. We made 10 pounds and played around with the spices (hot peppers, mustard seed, allspice, coriander, etc) in some of the jars. My boyfriend takes a pickle a day in his lunch (there is no way 10 pounds will last us through to next year), and they have been requested for gifts. I can't wait to use this recipe again next year, thanks Amy!!!!

I love pickles and have always meant to make my ow...

2012-08-21T22:48:52.951-07:00

I love pickles and have always meant to make my own. My problem is that as a student I keep moving into progressively smaller spaces, limiting my pickle-storage space. I might just have to section of the last bit of room in my pantry for a pickle-fest.