Winter Pickles / Murături de iarnă

Directions

Instructions:

1. Sterilize 1 large jar or several smaller jars (10-15 small jars).

2. In a large pot, bring water and salt to a boil.                                                                          

3. While water is heating, clean and trim cucumbers (slice if desired - or if needed to fit in jars). 

4. Wash and peel the horseradish, and slice it into strips.                                                                      

5. Place cucumbers, horseradish, garlic cloves, mustard seeds, and dill blossoms into sterilized jar(s). Make sure you have a bit of space at the top of the jar(s), liquid must cover everything. 

6. When the water boils, add bay leaves, peppercorns and vinegar. Boil for 3 minutes longer. Then remove pot from stove to cool.                                                               

7. When liquid is lukewarm, pour into the jar(s). If you'd like, put clean, fresh cherry leaves or grape leaves on top (these will help keep your cucumbers crisp). Make sure nothing sticks up above the liquid. 

8. Close tightly with a sterilized jar lid (one that fits securely on the jar), or cover the mouth of the jar with moistened cellophane and tie tightly with a string.

9. Store jar(s) in a cool dry place. The pickles will be ready after 4-8 weeks and should keep for up to 9 months as long as they are not disturbed.                                                                           

 

Notes:   Pickling is fun and surprisingly easy. You shouldn’t have any trouble with jars breaking or with contamination as long as you keep everything (including your hands) clean, and don’t put very hot liquid in your jars. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you can get really creative with your pickling ingredients, or make fancy designs in your jars like the bunicas.

 

Variations: There are endless pickle variations, try different flavorings like hot peppers, fresh herbs or caraway seeds. You could also pickle different vegetables, like carrots, peppers, onions, mushrooms and more!

 

Substitutions: Dill blossoms/Sprigs of fresh or dry dill.