Crystal Pickles
Crystal Pickles are crisp, refreshing cucumbers preserved in a clear brine, offering a tangy and slightly salty flavor. Perfect as a cool snack or condiment, they suit those who enjoy traditional pickling with a crunchy texture and clean taste. An engaging project for preserving fresh cucumbers at home.
Ingredients
- 25 cucumbers ⓘ
- 2 c. coarse salt
- 2 Tbsp. alum
Instructions
- Wash the cucumbers thoroughly.
- Place the cucumbers in a stone jar.
- Prepare a brine using 2 cups of coarse salt mixed with 1 gallon of water; do not boil the brine.
- Pour the brine over the cucumbers, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Place a plate over the cucumbers with a weight on top to keep them submerged in the brine.
- Leave the jar undisturbed for 2 weeks, skimming the brine off every day.
- After 2 weeks, drain and wash the pickles.
- Slice or cut the pickles into chunks as desired.
- Cover the sliced or chunked pickles with cold water containing 2 tablespoons of alum.
- Let stand for 24 hours, then drain and wash the pickles again.
- Prepare the syrup for preserving or serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).