Garlic Dill Refrigerator Pickles - Small Batch Recipe

I despise refrigerator pickles.  Let's just get this out there and let's be clear that when you say refrigerator pickle in my family, you are talking about the recipe with loads of refined sugar.  

I don't want a sweet pickle, to me that is pointless.  I want something that is going to be sour and strong tasting, yet crispy.  Definitely not sugary sweet and rubbery.

That was my experience with refrigerator pickles until I found my dream recipe which is #1.) SMALL batch (I don't have a lot of room for storage) and #2.) Garlic Dill.  Heaven!  I didn't mess with the recipe too much, but I did use Raw Coconut Water Vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.  The flavor blows away other vinegars and you reap the reward of healthy benefits of this product.  And if you have not tried it, you are missing out on a great vinegar for sauces, marinades, salad dressings and more! I highly recommend purchasing a bottle.

It's been a great week.  Even though my kids are on vacation in the midst of the wildfires in Colorado.

First, I found this beautiful bloom on what I thought was a hibiscus bush in my  new yard.  I was thrilled to find this first bloom in the early morning hours the other day.  Someone mentioned it looked to be a firecracker red, and by 4th of July it will be full of these. 

My other great find this week was fresh dill at our local grocery store.  Fresh herbs are hard to come by around here, but we do have a local store that infrequently sources locally.  So, I thought it perfect for using with this recipe since my Dad had some cucumbers to spare from his garden.

 

I assembled 5 quart jars with sliced cucumbers, fresh dill, 2 cloves of garlic per jar, 1/4 t. of crushed red pepper per jar and 1/2 t. of peppercorns per jar.  Then I boiled the vinegar, water and salt in a pot, filling each one to the neck.  After cooling to room temperature, you move them to the fridge for about 48 hours before busting into them.

I'm so excited about how good these taste! I dare say, these pickles ROCK!

They are full of healthy herbs, spices and ingredients with robust flavors.  The vinegar is truly the key!