Canner Experts..Dill pickles?

foundmylazybum

Hello Green Board...

I am growing some heirloom cucumbers that say on the seed package they make good dill pickles..

But I picked them when they were big--like cucumber size.

Question 1)--can these be made into dill pickles or do they have to be picked when they are smaller?

Leading to question 2)--if smaller..how much smaller..when I say "cucumber size," my cukes are 1 ft long! They are boats ;D 

Question 3) How many do I need for a jar of pickles?  Is it worth my time to make A jar of pickles? I have 5 giants right now...and more growing..but it's certainly not some amazing crop!

 

I don't know what I am doing...My dad is the canner in the house and he "claims" he has never done pickles--but I don't think that is true..I have found evidence to the contrary in our basement ;D

Thank you. 

mominatrix

I've made dill pickles in the freezer, and they rock!

the great thing is that you don't need to worry about how much is appropriate for one jar, or whatever, and you don't need to worry about sterilizing and all that.

 

just google "freezer dill pickle recipe" for tons and tons!

Stac928

I used my larger cucumbers to make dill pickle chips, two large cucumbers made 4 pints.  It was one of the easiest canning recipes I've done. 

uncannycanuck

Pickles are easy.

You can just slice larger cukes to make them. There are refridgerator pickles, bread-and-butter pickles, dill pickles... whatever. Pickles are easy, as the vinegar kills everything.

Just hit up allrecipes and try one.

littlemommy1

When using bigger cucumbers for pickles, I scoop the seeds out because they tend to be harder than the smaller ones. Otherwise they should work great!!

SuperGreen

We've never used big cukes to make pickles, we use pickling cucumbers which are about 5-6 inches long.  I don't see why you couldn't use big ones.  Personally, I wouldn't go through all the trouble of canning for a couple of cucumbers, maybe refridgerator or freezer pickles would be easier.