Recipes for pickled cucumbers in 5-liter plastic bottles for the winter

With the onset of pickling season, one of the most important activities is preserving cucumbers. There are many recipes, as well as methods, updated every year with more modern and inventive variations. Pickled cucumbers in every form are in demand. They are considered the most important vegetable by the people. No feast is complete without a delicious appetizer, and the most famous and popular are pickled cucumbers. cucumbers in plastic five-liter bottles.

The advantages and disadvantages of pickling cucumbers in a bottle

This method has many advantages. After picking cucumbers from the garden, you can quickly pickle them without having to wash, dry, or sterilize the jars. This can be done at the dacha and then transported without any damage or consequences. The taste is excellent, practically indistinguishable from cucumbers from barrels.

But despite all the positive qualities of plastic, it has more than its share of drawbacks. The material used to make bottles doesn't always meet quality standards. The interaction of brine with plastic can cause all sorts of reactions, not always safe. Storing pickled cucumbers in such a container for an extended period of time always poses a risk of harm to health.

Selection and preparation before starting the process

Choose small cucumbers for pickling, as overgrown ones won't fit through the narrow neck of a five-liter plastic container. The amount of cucumbers should fill slightly more than half the container. To enhance the flavor, gather the traditional herbs and spices. Pre-soak the cucumbers, rinse thoroughly under running water, and trim the ends on both sides.

Preparing plastic containers

Plastic five-liter water bottles are first thoroughly cleaned. A baking soda solution is poured inside, a small amount of liquid is added, and the container is shaken well. The baking soda solution is discarded, and the container is rinsed thoroughly with clean running water.

Once the remaining solution has been completely removed, begin adding the cucumbers and ingredients.

How to pickle cucumbers for the winter in a five-liter bottle

This method is the easiest to make pickled cucumbers. Simply harvest cucumbers of the desired size. Stock up on five-liter PET bottles. Gather the required amount of greenery, which grows in abundance in each garden plot. The preparation is complete. You can confidently begin the process.

Ingredients

To enhance the flavor of pickled vegetables, cherry and currant leaves are preserved. Dill is used in all its forms: feathers, umbels, and seeds. Horseradish root or leaves make the product firm and crunchy.

For each bottle, add two small heads of peeled garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns to taste. Some enthusiasts add a hot chili pepper for a piquant flavor. Use only rock salt. The standard amount is two tablespoons per liter of liquid.

Preparation

Washed herbs and spices are spread evenly, as best they can, over the bottom of a five-liter plastic container. Don't chop the garlic; add it in cloves. For a spicy kick, add a single red pepper flake. Carefully place approximately three kilograms of prepared cucumbers into the container.

Once the container is full, carefully add about three hundred and fifty grams of salt. Shake the bottle to distribute the salt evenly. Next, add clean, filtered water. Tie the neck with several layers of gauze. Place the bottle in a deep tray and let it sit for a week.

As the cucumbers begin to ferment, they change color. After the first foam appears, drain the salt water from the bottle. To rinse the pickled cucumbers, do not remove them from the container. Simply pour water into the container several times and, after gently shaking, drain. Repeat this process several times. Then, add clean, fresh liquid.

Further storage

Pickles are stored in a cool, frost-free place. Cellars, basements, insulated balconies, and even refrigerators are popular. Plastic containers are incredibly convenient. They hold much more than traditional glass jars, are lightweight, and are resistant to damage.

Preserving pickles in plastic is quite simple—no special skills or experience are required. For convenience, the top of the container is cut off, allowing you to easily remove the fragrant pickles, which are indistinguishable from professional barrel-pickled cucumbers.