Pickles

We start with cucumber pickles in brine, also known as kosher dill pickles in the United States. You need salt, mustard seed, horseradish, garlic, dried dill twigs, and, of course, cucumbers, preferably small. The quantity depends on your recipient. Cut the horseradish into strips, and crush lightly the cloves of garlic, without peeling them. Set the cucumbers in your favourite jars, putting between them the horseradish and garlic. Sprinkle in mustard seeds and the dill twigs on top. Bring the brine to a boil, and heat the jars ahead of time. Use about one and a half tablespoons of salt for every litre of water. Fill the jars with the brine, seal them, then put them in a warm place for two or three hours.

România Internațional, 10.10.2013, 17:50

We start with cucumber pickles in brine, also known as kosher dill pickles in the United States. You need salt, mustard seed, horseradish, garlic, dried dill twigs, and, of course, cucumbers, preferably small. The quantity depends on your recipient. Cut the horseradish into strips, and crush lightly the cloves of garlic, without peeling them. Set the cucumbers in your favourite jars, putting between them the horseradish and garlic. Sprinkle in mustard seeds and the dill twigs on top. Bring the brine to a boil, and heat the jars ahead of time. Use about one and a half tablespoons of salt for every litre of water. Fill the jars with the brine, seal them, then put them in a warm place for two or three hours.

The other most popular pickle by far in Romania is green tomato. It is an extremely tangy pickle, and goes well with heavier and fattier foods that are popular in winter. Pick whiter tomatoes, because the deeper green ones may be bitterish. To make them more attractive, you can keep them for a couple of days, so that they turn yellowish to reddish. In the same jar, alongside the tomatoes, place sliced carrots, celery root, also sliced, a few red peppers and hot peppers, and you can also use apples and baby watermelons. Also use horseradish and garlic, as the horseradish prevents the pickles going soft. After a few days, using a rubber tube blow air to prevent mildew from forming. Enjoy!