What do you do when you have an abundance of cucumbers? Make pickles, of course!!

To be honest, these pickles are so delicious, I was barely able to take a picture before my family started to devour them, still warm from the cooking!

If you'd like to go straight to the recipe, then scroll down, but I wanted to share with you a little bit of history and the beginnings of these bread & butter pickles, which will make you enjoy and savor them all the more!

The story goes that "Bread & Butter Pickles" originated during the Great Depression, when fresh food was rationed and in short supply, and ingredients like salt, sugar and vinegar were cheaper and easier to find. Many people took to gardening in their backyards to grow food for their households and communities. People pickled their cucumbers and would eat it between a slice of bread and butter, when no food was available during the winter or leaner months! Hence the name, "Bread and Butter Pickles"!

INGREDIENTS:
CUCUMBER MIX:
1 lb mini cucumbers (or any seedless cucumber, sliced to 1/4” thickness)
1/2 small white onion, sliced
2 red chilis, de-seeded and halved
1 1/2 tbsp pickling salt or kosher salt
BRINE MIX:
1 cup sugar
1 cup white distilled vinegar
1/8th cup water
1/2 tbsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp dill seeds
a pinch of ground cloves (about 1/16 tsp)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns
2 cloves garlic, sliced

HOW TO (Swipe through for pictures):
1. Place sliced cucumbers, onions and red chilis in a bowl. Add salt. Mix. Cover with cling wrap and put into the refrigerator for 4 hours. Stir occasionally while in the fridge to help incorporate salt into the ingredients.
2. After 4 hours, drain out the excess liquid that has separated, by putting cucumber mixture onto a sieve. Rinse thoroughly under cold water for 3-4 minutes to wash off the salt.
3. Make brine by adding the brine ingredients to a saucepan and stir over medium heat. When liquid starts simmering, add in the rinsed cucumber mix.
4. Bring to a simmer (this should take 2 mins).
5. Take the pickles off the heat and let cool.

BREAD & BUTTER PICKLES are ready to be enjoyed!