The top 10 most delicious Bulgarian-style cucumber recipes for the winter, in a liter jar.

Preserving Bulgarian-style cucumbers for the winter is a great idea for any home cook. They can be served as an appetizer with alcoholic drinks or as a main course on a holiday table. There are many recipes for preserving cucumbers, but not all of them produce the expected results. We'll share only the most tried and true and delicious recipes for Bulgarian-style cucumbers.

Subtleties of cooking

The peculiarities of preparing bell cucumbers include the need for careful selection of vegetables based on several parameters, as well as a different method of placing the cucumbers in the jar.

All ingredients except powdered ones should be thoroughly washed, and it's advisable to sterilize the jars. After preparation and sealing, take the jars to a cool place and, if possible, wrap them in a thick cloth.

How to choose and prepare bell cucumbers

For pickling, it's customary to select only small cucumbers, and they should be young. These pickled vegetables will have a pleasant sweet flavor and a crunchy bite. The cucumber's surface should be covered with appetizing pimples. Smooth cucumbers are used only in salads and are not suitable for pickling.

You can determine the age of a cucumber by its color; pickling cucumbers should be medium-dark and free of yellowish spots. The easiest way to tell is by touch – young cucumbers are firm and have thick skin. It's also worth remembering that bitter, "green" cucumbers are not suitable for canning.

As for the actual preparation, the vegetables need to be placed in a container with water and left there for at least a couple of hours, and preferably for half a day.

Recipes for pickling cucumbers at home for the winter

Finding a recipe for preserving vegetables is easy these days, as the variety is truly impressive. Below are seven of the most interesting and popular ways to preserve cucumbers. You may already be familiar with some, but there are also some that few know about. So, be prepared to share your recipe with your friends after they try your preserves.

A simple method of preparation in a liter jar

The recipe will allow you to get it in moderation hot cucumbers, and it will take a minimum of time. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. Vegetables must be washed thoroughly.
2. For flavor, you can use currant, cherry and horseradish leaves.
3. Place the leaves, dill, 3 pieces of garlic, allspice (to taste) and the cucumbers themselves (the tops of which should be cut off) in a clean jar.
4. To sterilize, pour boiling water into the containers and leave for 20 minutes.
5. Then you need to drain the water and add 2 tablespoons of salt and sugar.
6. Pour the marinade over the cucumbers and add half a spoon of vinegar. After that, you can roll them up. The cucumbers should be delicious and crispy.

A recipe from the Soviet era

This method was widely used by Soviet housewives, as it resulted in the most delicious preserves, and the preparation time was minimal. A distinctive feature of this method is the double-layer arrangement of the cucumbers in the jar, as well as the absence of sterilization. Recipe:

1. Soak vegetables in water for 3 hours, changing the water after every hour.
2. Prepare and process jars and lids.
3. Place onion and garlic (to taste) on the bottom of the jar.
4. Place a container filled with water, salt, and sugar on the stove and bring to a boil; add vinegar. Then reduce heat to low and add the cucumbers (for 7-8 minutes).
5. Then we place them in a jar, fill it with the solution, and seal it. After this, the preserves need to be cooled.

With carrots and onions

This cooking method involves using a small amount of onion and carrot, which will give the pickles a unique aroma and flavor. Recipe:

1. Wash the vegetables thoroughly and pour boiling water over them. Place one sliced ​​onion and half a chopped carrot in the bottom of the jar.
2. Prepare the marinade (standard ingredients: water, sugar, salt). However, in this case, it should be used cold, not hot.
3. Place cucumbers in a jar, pour in the solution and add vinegar.
4. Roll up with metal lids.

If desired, the jars can be sterilized (depending on the storage method).

Without sterilization

The essence of this method is the lack of sterilization. All other ingredients, such as herbs, onions, garlic, and so on, can be added at your own discretion or from the pickling recipes provided above. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. Soak the cucumbers for several hours.
2. Sterilize containers, prepare herbs.
3. Fill the jars and fill them with hot water.
4. Drain everything into a saucepan, cook and add vinegar.
5. Pour this liquid into jars and seal.

With mustard

It's worth noting that this method uses dry (powdered) mustard, not regular mustard. This recipe will appeal to those who enjoy spicy snacks. To pickle cucumbers with mustard, you'll need:

1. Cover the vegetables with water and let them sit for a couple of hours. Then cut each into 4 slices and sprinkle with salt. Then let them sit for another 3 hours.
2. Mix the following ingredients in a container: vinegar, sugar, mustard, pepper, and garlic. Pour this solution over the cucumbers and let it steep for about an hour and a half.
3. Place the vegetables into jars and pour in the resulting liquid.
4. Sterilize for about 20-22 minutes at 100 degrees.

With citric acid

This marinade ingredient is added primarily to make the cucumbers crispier and more flavorful. Recipe:

1. Place dill and mustard seeds on the bottom of the jar. Add garlic, leaves, and other ingredients, as desired.
2. Place the soaked cucumbers with the ends cut off in jars. Then pour boiling water over them.
3. Pour the resulting liquid into a container, add salt, sugar and boil.
4. Fill the jars, add citric acid (1 teaspoon will be enough).
5. Roll up the prepared jars of pickles and place them in a cool place.

With tomatoes

Pickling cucumbers in a bundle with tomatoes This is a very good solution, as the red cucumbers secrete a special substance that strengthens the cucumbers and makes them last longer. Recipe:

1. We sterilize the jars in an acceptable manner (over a kettle or simply by pouring hot water).
2. Place ingredients to taste on the bottom of the containers (horseradish leaves, currant leaves, dill)
3. Place the soaked vegetables into jars and add garlic (or onion, if desired).
4. Fill with hot water (let it sit for 30 minutes), then drain the liquid and make the brine.
5. We roll it up and store it.

Features of storing pickles

Jars should be kept in a cool place. The formula is simple: the lower the temperature, the longer they will last. However, this doesn't mean you need to chuck them in the refrigerator; places with temperatures between -1 and +1 degrees Celsius are suitable.

Sterilization is also crucial; with proper sterilization, long-lasting preservation is guaranteed. Generally, basements or balconies can be used for storage.