The gherkin (French - cornichon) is a fruit similar in form and nutritional value to a cucumber.
Gherkins and cucumbers belong to the same species (Cucumis sativus), but are different cultivar groups.
They are usually picked when 4 to 8 cm (1 to 3 in) in length and pickled in jars with brine to resemble a pickled cucumber.
Russian slightly salted gherkins are served to accompany new or young potatoes, You can boil potatoes with or without the skin.
Russian slightly salted gherkins - малосольные огурцы (malosol'nye ogurtsy) - are marinated in salt and spice brine for only a twenty-four hours to obtain less salty-tasting result.
A quicker method for preparing slightly salted Gherkins is to cut off both ends of the cucumbers and cover them with cold salt brine.
These gherkins will be ready to eat in just a day/a twenty-four hours.
Russian slightly salted gherkins:
gherkins, scrubbed (or baby cucumbers): from 500-800 grams to 1 kg.
sparkling water such as "San Pellegrino" – 1 litre
coarse sea salt from 2 to 4 tbs (depending on how salty gherkins you like)
garlic head (peeled) - 1
fresh dill (with dill stems) – large bunch, preferably going to seed, washed.
bay leaves (optional)
celery leaves (optional)
coriander seeds – 2tsp (optional)
black or green pepper corns – 8 (optional)
fresh red chili sliced length wise (optional)
Wash your gherkins, cut off both ends of the gherkins.
Put gherkins into a large pot divide garlic, bay leaves, and dill amongst them.
Stirring salt in cold sparkling water until the salt is dissolved.
Fill the pot with brine so that the gherkins are completely covered.
Cover the pot with cheesecloth, secured with rubber bands, or loosely with the lids.
Store in the fridge.
They need to be left for at least twenty-four hours before using so the gherkins develop flavor (I know – this is the hardest part... but it’s worth the wait!).
Enjoy!
OR try recipe from Olia Hercules:
- A ‘nuclear’ pickle recipe from Ukraine | A Kitchen in Ukraine | Life and style | The Guardian.
