Homemade Refrigerator Pickles

My garden was pretty sad and wacky this year and I am still oh so slowly getting cucumbers so these home made pickles came in handy for something different and delicious. My Dad says his mom used to make the best pickles when he was a kid. Maybe I am channeling her because I'm not sure I can ever eat the store bought ones again! I made 2 batches. One with regular white vinegar and one with cider vinegar. I'm thinking the white vinegar ones turned out a bit crunchier. Both were super yummy! I am considering making a batch with rice vinegar...hmm.

Here ya go!

2 cups cider vinegar (distilled white vinegar can also be used. I may be tempted to try it with rice vinegar as well)
2 tsp. kosher or pickling salt. (non-iodized)
1 Tbs. pickling spices (McCormick)
pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
8oz or quart size canning jars (I used 8 oz b/c that's what I had)
1-3 or more 3" garden grown cucumbers. Washed and quartered lengthwise. Ends trimmed. (to make spears)
4-8 cloves fresh garlic.
fresh dill

Bring vinegar, salt and spices to a full boil in medium saucepan over high heat. Cool completely.
Sterilize canning jars by immersing in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. The jars should be hot when adding the veggies.
Layer the cucumbers, garlic, and dill in the hot jars. Pour in enough of the vinegar to cover completely. You may need to spoon the spices into the jars as well. Screw on lid and refrigerate for at least 3 days before eating. (The pickles can be stored, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 month. (Ha! They will not last that long!)

This is a recipe I put together from a couple of recipes. You could also add some sliced onion and some grape tomatoes as well. The addition of red pepper flakes gives it a little extra bite. If you are a lover of crunchy dill pickles, you will be in heaven! I used fresh cucumbers from my garden but I am curious to try store bought cucks. My garden cucks had a nice little sweetness to them. Also, when using home grown cucks, be sure to pick them while the are still bumpy and prickly. Once they start yellowing and getting smooth they will not make a crunchy pickle. These were like baby pickle spears. I could fit 1 to 1 1/2 pickles in each 8 oz. jar.

Enjoy! Let me know what you think! Okay, gonna go eat another pickle now!