Fridge Pickles

Yes, I pickle.  I know this sounds like some far out, super domestic diva kind of garbage but, trust me, this was born purely out of a burning love of brine and a lack of money to fund it.

Dude, pickles are like $5 a jar.  GOOD pickles are like $9 a jar.  When you have a habit like mine you gotta get creative.  I have tons of jars from making gift baskets around the house, I have a whole lot of delicious summer veggies growing in my garden and at the farm market every weekend.  Why not do this up right?  And by right, I of course mean lazy.  The idea of boiling jars and buying special equipment, ugh, in the words of the illustrious sweet brown, ain't nobody got time for that!

So, a couple googles later I'm in business.  My favorite pickles are a little spicy, a little sweet and very briny.  So, these are a kind of south east asian-y deal.  I've done it with different vinegars and different spices, you can't really mess it up.  Meaning, it can't ever be TOO flavorful.  Just make sure you don't wimp out and put enough salt and flavors, nothing is worse than a boring pickle.


Quick Spicy/Tangy/Sweet Dream Pickles

About 2 lbs vegetables, cut into finger friendly shapes
3 cups rice vinegar (may be more or less depending on how you packed your jars)
2 tablespoons salt (divided into two teaspoons, three ways)
2 tablespoons sugar " "
6 dried red chilis, whole
9 cloves garlic
6 "chunks" (bout the same size as garlic) ginger, peeled

1. So, you're going for 3 pint jars here, use the wide mouth ones, you'll thank me later.  Add to each jar the two teaspoons each of salt and sugar, two chilis, 3 garlic cloves and two ginger chunks. 

2.Add in the sliced veggies, I like persian or kirby cucumbers and carrots and this also tastes fantastic with cabbage like a super tangy cole slaw. 

3.Pour the vinegar 3/4 way up to the top of each jar and top off with about 1/4 hot water from the tap or kettle. 

4. When cooled, lid them, shake them, fridge them.  Wait at least a day to eat, 48 hours if you can stand it, 72 if you have iron will.

I'm suuuure it's not totally kosher to keep refilling this jar with more vegetables.  But, I may be doing that.  Because I tend to eat the entire thing in one sitting.  I'll stop once it looks totally funky.  But I never told you that.