Pickled Cucumbers, Crunchy

Wash the cucumbers well under a stream of cold water, making sure to remove any impurities or residues. After cleaning them, let them sit in slightly salted cold water for 8 hours or, for optimal results, from evening until morning. This step is essential as it helps improve the texture of the cucumbers.

Preparing the jars is the next important step. Make sure they are perfectly clean and sterilized. Place a first layer of ingredients at the bottom of each jar: celery leaves and root, garlic cloves (peeled but left whole), sliced carrots, cherry leaves, horseradish cut into strips, desired spices, and optionally, sliced hot peppers and mustard seeds. This mixture of flavors will give the pickles a distinctive taste.

On top of this first layer, add the cucumbers, interspersing them with 1-2 layers of the already mentioned ingredients. It is important to maintain a balance between the cucumbers and the other ingredients to achieve a delicious pickle. At the mouth of the jar, place a few cherry or oak leaves, which will not only contribute to the flavor but also help maintain freshness.

To prepare the brine, boil water and add salt, stirring until it completely dissolves. Let it boil for a few minutes, then pour the hot brine over the cucumbers. Cover the jars and let them sit at room temperature for 24 hours, but avoid direct sunlight as excessive heat can affect the pickling process.

After 24 hours, drain the liquid from the jars and boil it again. Pour this hot liquid over the cucumbers, ensuring that each jar is well filled. Repeat this process twice, letting the jars sit warm for 24 hours between each pouring. If you notice that the cucumbers have shrunk, add cucumbers from one of the jars before performing the third pouring.

After completing this process, let the jars cool and dry out between blankets for 1-2 days. This will help strengthen the taste and aroma. Once this period has expired, store the jars in cool places where they can be kept for a long time, providing you with a healthy and tasty delicacy throughout the winter. Enjoy the pickles alongside your favorite dishes!