Cucumber Pickles - QCWA Style

I did a little experiment and planted some cucumber seeds very late in the season to see if they would grow and I picked about ten or so before the plant started to wither. I don't think I will harvest many more and I will miss having cucumbers growing but, then again, with the cooler weather approaching we won't be eating too many salads. When I was getting rid of some magazines recently I came across a recipe for Cucumber Pickles in one of the first copies of the QCWA's RUTH magazine and thought I would try it out as I had five cucumbers left to use up.

Normally I make Rhonda's Bread and Butter Cucumbers and the recipe in RUTH is much the same:

INGREDIENTS:

• 2kg continental cucumbers cut into thin slices (I only had 1 1/2kg)
• 3 onions, cut into thin slices
• 1 green capsicum, cut into thin slices (I used two small ones)
• 2 cloves garlic, cut into thin slices
• 1/3 cup cooking salt
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon celery seeds
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white mustard seeds (I only had yellow mustard seeds)

I added a chilli as well.

METHOD:

Place sliced cucumber, onion, capsicum and garlic in a large bowl and sprinkle over the salt then cover with ice cubes. Stand for at least four hours or overnight.

Drain well and rinse off excess salt.

Place remaining ingredients in large pot and slowly bring to boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.

When mixture is boiling, add vegetables and stir to combine. Leave on heat for two minutes then remove and spoon pickles into sterilised jars.

Seal and store in a cool, dark and dry place for two weeks before using.

 My fake Nicer Dicer made quick and easy work of slicing the cucumbers....

....onions and capsicums.

Once covered with salt....

 

....and ice I waited for about 6 hours before bottling....

 

....and ended up with two (and a bit) bottles of Pickled Cucumbers. 

If you know anything about the QCWA or any of the Country Women's Association groups around Australia you would know that they are good cooks so I am sure that these pickles will be fantastic once the bottles are opened after a couple of weeks.

Source

The Queensland branch of the CWA has been publishing the RUTH magazine for a year or so and the Autumn Edition is now available at newsagents and by subscription. If you can't buy it at your local newsagent then you can get the details about subscribing here. It costs $6.95 in the newsagents and $5.95 if you subscribe and get it delivered to your mail box.  It is a good read and the cooking section is just inspiring....as I said ....the CWA ladies are known for their great cooking!