Progress, Projects, & Promises

I managed to use at least 3/4 of the bushel of cucumbers I bought.  Some of them are fermenting away in our front room, giving the house a nice pickle smell upon entrance.  (Unfortunately one of the crocks is leaking, and I'm going to have to transfer them.)  They could be ready as early as this Saturday or as late as next Saturday. 

In addition to the long-fermenting koshers, I made a couple of batches of "Quicker Koshers," some bread and butter pickles, and some cucumber relish.  I never knew that cucumber relish could be so yummy.  All the recipes have come from Canning for a New Generation by Lianna Krissoff, a book I think is pretty great (except it doesn't mention pressure canners once, as far as I can tell - is there discrimination in the canning world?).

Bush(el)-Whacked!

I really had no idea how many cucumbers would be in a bushel.  My logic went something like this -

1. The farmstand is selling pickling cucumbers by the bushel, 
2. I want to make pickles, 
3. I guess I need a bushel.

No.  I did not need a bushel.  But a bushel I have, and now I've got to gear up for some crazy-ass pickle making: long fermented kosher, quick(er) kosher, bread & butter, and cucumber relish.

2013 may end up being the year of the pickle.