Dill Pickle
By Hayden ilfrey
Bacteria used
The fermentation process is entirely dependent on the naturally occurring Lactobacillus bacteria that normally cover the skin of the cucumber
Ingredients
- 24 (or so) small 4"-5" pickling cucumbers
- 6 cloves garlic, ends removed and smashed
- 6 bay leaves
- 2 1/2 tbls pickling spice(cloves, coriander, allspice, pepper, mustard seeds)
- Fresh Dill
- 6 tbls large granule sea salt (kosher salt)
Instructions
- Gently clean and remove flower ends from cucumbers.
- To each quart sized mason jar, stack the bottom with as many cucumbers as you can fit.
- Divide the pickling spice between the jars.
- To each jar, add 2 garlic cloves, and 2 bay leaves.
- Add a good amount of dill to each jar, then fill each jar with as many more cucumbers as you can fit. Do not allow the cucumbers to go up into the band area. Make sure there's 1" headspace between the top of the jar and the lid.
- On the stovetop, heat 1 quart of filtered water with 6 tbls of salt until it dissolves. Once the salt dissolves into the water, remove from heat. Add 1 1/3 cups of the salt solution brine to each jar.
- Fill the remainder of the jars with enough filtered water to cover all the ingredients.
- Place a lid on each jar and give it a good shake to mix the water and salt brine solution. Make sure to check after shaking that all the ingredients are submerged.
- Place the jar in a cool dark place for 2 weeks making sure to burp the jar after 7 days
Time required to produce
At least 2 weeks
Factors that influence the development of fermentation
fermentation temperature, salt concentration and dispersion
Chemical changes that take place
Sugars turning lacric acid and carbon dioxide being released
Effect of fermentation on the pH of the food product
The pH turns more acidic with levels as low as 3.3