Making your own pickles

My wife does it the exact way that you've described (no mustard seeds). I don't like pickles, but she and my daughter love them. They have been making pickles with fresh mini cucumbers that we have been getting this summer from a local farm (via a weekly CSA program) and have been very pleased with the results.

I grew banana peppers last summer and pickled those with a recipe I found online. Maybe I picked the peppers too early, but when I opened that jar to eat one I nearly gagged. Had to dump all 4 jars I made.

I've had some success with pickles though. What you're describing is a very standard recipe. However, I enjoy them when they're spicy so I usually add some chopped chili peppers (any kind with heat will do) to each jar. Usually I do this with several different kinds of peppers for each jar because it can be a real gamble, heat-wise. Best to mix it up with a few jars and get some mild and hot batches.

Next time just keep experimenting by tweaking the recipe for each jar a little bit. Add some mustard seeds to your next batch or some cumin seed. You could even try making kool-aid pickles like I had down in Alabama. It was...interesting.

with absolutely no modesty, this. be sure and try judy rogers' zucchini pickles. awesome.

Nice story, but how about a damn recipe.

From my thread on smoked and cured meats:

don't take that attitude with me, young man. did you not see the link that says "Get pickling! Here are all the recipes you'll need"?

what're you laughing at chubs?

what am i NOT laughing at, chubs

No way dude, don't be a pussy.

I do cellar immediately. Ruhlman and Polcyn are my gods, I do not vary from dogma. Of course, if your cabinet is under 75, no worries. Fridges are so cold they require longer time than my wine cellar, btw. Also, make sure everything is 100% submerged in the brine.