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Spicy Pickled Cucumbers (No Nukes 3 Pepper Cukes)

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Fermentation Time 10 days
Course Fermented vegetable
Makes 1 quart/liter

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs. (700g) cucumbers, slicing or pickling varieties
  • 1 jalapeño or other chile pepper
  • 1 large grape or fig leaf, 2 bay leaves, or 1 other large fruit tree (apple, stone fruit) leaf
  • 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) cayenne pepper powder
  • 1/2 tsp. (2.5 ml) California (aka Anaheim) chile pepper powder or another mild variety
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. (15-20 ml) fine sea salt about 5% brine by weight
  • 2 cups (500 ml) filtered water

Optional

  • 1 tablespoons (15ml) pickle brine

Instructions
 

Prepare

  • Rinse off any dirt from cucumbers and scrape off the flower end of the cucumbers to ensure there are no flowering parts (enzymes & molds can make pickles mushy). If using slicing cukes, slice into ¾″ thick pieces. Leave whole if using pickling (Kirby) variety.
  • To a clean quart glass jar or ceramic crock, add fruit tree leaves, cayenne and California chile powder.
  • Cut stem off pepper, then slice in half lengthwise. For more heat, leave seeds and membranes intact. For less chile heat, scrape seeds and membrane out, leaving only the fleshy part. Add to jar.
  • Add cucumbers to jar.
  • Mix Brine: Stir sea salt into filtered water until salt dissolves.
  • If using, add pickle brine from a previous batch to container.
  • Place a lid or plate that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the container on top of cukes. Add a weight like a jar or wine bottle filled with water. OR, If using a small batch fermentation kit, add the weight(s) to the jar.
  • Slowly pour brine into jar until there’s enough to cover the contents. Leave about one inch from the top of the container (if using mason jars).
  • Cover container with a tea towel or clean dishcloth to keep dust and flies out, and secure with twist ties or a rubber band. OR if using small batch fermentation kit, apply the fermentation lid per the instructions.

Ferment

  • Place in a cool, dark spot in your house. Taste after 5 days. If still too crunchy (like a raw cuke), let ferment a few more days.
  • White yeasts and mold may form on the surface that is exposed to air. THIS IS NORMAL. Remove weight and lid, wipe or spoon out as much of the mold as you can, clean lid and weight with warm soapy water, dry thoroughly and add back to the jar.
  • When you like the taste and texture, remove the weight, transfer to refrigerator and place a tight lid on container. Pickles will last up to 3 months in the fridge.