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  • 400g Lebanese or Kirby cucumber
    (about 6-7 small ones), cut into 1cm thick slices (available at Whole Foods or from a greengrocer)
  • 1 medium onion
    cut into thick slices
  • 2 tbsp rock or flaked sea salt
  • 300ml apple cider vinegar
  • 140g golden caster sugar
  • ¼ tsp ground turmeric
  • ¼ tsp celery seeds
  • ¼ tsp chilli flakes
  • 2 tbsp yellow or brown mustard seeds

Nutrition: per tbsp

  • kcal16
  • fat0g
    low
  • saturates0g
  • carbs3g
  • sugars3g
  • fibre0g
  • protein0g
  • salt0.4g
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Method

  • step 1

    Put the cucumbers, onion slices and salt in a sieve set over a bowl, and cover with ice and something to weigh it down. Let stand for 1-2 hrs in the fridge, then drain well. (This helps to push the water out of the cucumber, which means it will stay crunchy later when brined.)

  • step 2

    Meanwhile, put the vinegar, 200ml water, the sugar, turmeric, celery seeds, chilli flakes and mustard seeds in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to cool to room temperature. Put the cucumber and onion mixture in a 500ml- capacity jar or sealable plastic container, pour over the brining liquid, cover and seal. Chill for at least 3 hrs. Will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.

RECIPE TIPS
BREAD & BUTTER PICKLES

Apparently, these pickles got their name during the Great Depression in America in the 1930s. Pickles were very cheap, so people often ate them for lunch with bread and butter.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, July 2015

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Comments, questions and tips (5)

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Overall rating

A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.8 ratings
africanqueen avatar

africanqueen

My go to recipe when I have a glut of cucumbers! Very easy to make and utterly delicious as an accompaniment to all sorts dishes 😋

catherinedowney

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Great recipe and the pickles can be eaten after a few hours which is a bonus. Highly recommend

nattienoo avatar

nattienoo

question

Why are they called ‘bread and butter’ pickles?

goodfoodteam avatar
goodfoodteam

Have a look at the recipe tip above for the history of the name!

Luxie

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Made these using leftover snacking cucumbers. Had to substitute the cider vinegar for white wine vinegar but turned out great. Cucumber remained crisp and brine was the perfect balance of sweet & salty. Tasted better than any shop bought gherkins that I've tried!

An easy recipe that's great for…

junefallon765@gmail.com

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

I've never made this type of recipe before, but love the ones you buy in the supermarket.

Very easy to make & they tasted delicious. Tried out on the family & they raved about them.

Will certainly make again.

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