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Prague-style cucumbers for the winter were extremely popular during the Soviet era, when you had to stand in long lines to purchase preserves. Now the recipe for the preparation has become known and the need to purchase it has disappeared. Anyone can easily prepare cucumbers according to the Prague recipe in their own kitchen.
Features of preparing Prague cucumbers for the winter
The main feature of the Prague cucumber salad for the winter is the use of lemon or citric acid in the recipe. This component helps the product to be stored for a long time, gives it a pleasant sweet and sour taste and makes the snack more healthy.
Marinade also plays an important role in giving cucumbers an aromatic and crispy taste. Because of this, in the process of preparing it, it is worth correctly calculating the proportions of the products.
A win-win version of Prague-style brine is prepared as follows:
- Bring 1 liter of water to a boil.
- Add 60 g of salt, 30 g of sugar, dill umbrella and 5 peppercorns.
- Stir and let the mixture return to a boil.
Selection and preparation of ingredients
Traditionally, classic spices are used to prepare Prague-style cucumbers for the winter: horseradish leaves, currants, cherries, dill umbrellas, black peppercorns and garlic. Some people like to add basil, cumin, coriander.
The best canned cucumbers according to the Prague recipe are obtained if you use medium-sized fruits with black spines, hard and thick skin. Ideal varieties:
- Parisian gherkin.
- Phillipok.
- Crisp.
- Son of the regiment.
- Coastal.
- Muromsky.
- Nezhinsky Ukrainian.
- Far Eastern.
- Pickling.
- Fabulous.
For pickling cucumbers Prague style, it is advisable to use bottled or spring water, and rock salt.
Many people use the German F1 variety to preserve Prague cucumbers.
Recipes for canning Prague cucumbers for the winter
Of the many recipes for pickling Prague cucumbers, it is worth highlighting two of the most interesting. They were used for harvesting in Soviet times.
Classic Prague cucumbers marinated with lemon
Required Products:
- crispy gherkins – 12 pcs.;
- lemon – 1 thin circle;
- garlic – 2 cloves;
- bay leaf – 1 pc.;
- dill - 1 umbrella;
- currant leaves – 3 pcs.;
- allspice – 2 peas;
- water – 500 ml;
- salt – 20 g;
- sugar – 75 g.
Cucumbers according to the classic recipe have the richest taste
Cooking process:
- Before twisting cucumbers for the winter in Prague style, the main ingredient must be soaked for 4-6 hours in cold water.
- After soaking, wash each cucumber well and cut off the ends.
- Divide into pre-sterilized jars, adding a slice of lemon to each.
- Wash all the greens, peel the garlic and cut lengthwise into two parts.
- Add all ingredients to water brought to a boil and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour the marinade into containers with cucumbers, roll up, turn upside down, wrap, let cool, put away until winter.
Cucumbers in Prague fill with citric acid
For a liter jar you need to take:
- 10 cucumbers;
- 2 cherry leaves;
- 3 currant leaves;
- a sprig of basil;
- a piece of horseradish leaf;
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- dill umbrella;
- jalapeno or chili pepper.
To fill in Prague style you will need:
- salt – 1.5 tbsp. l.;
- sugar – 1 tbsp. l.;
- citric acid – 1 tsp;
- water – 1 l.
Miniature varieties of cucumbers are most suitable for harvesting for the winter.
Technological process:
- Cucumbers must be sorted, washed, and soaked in ice water for at least 4 hours.
- Wash again and cut off the tails.
- Rinse the greens in running water and dry.
- Peel the garlic.
- Place horseradish, basil sprigs, cherry and currant leaves, garlic and dill on the bottom of a sterilized jar.
- Add pepper.
- Distribute the main ingredient into the container.
- Prepare Prague filling for cucumbers by mixing all ingredients and bringing them to a boil.
- Pour boiling marinade into jars and leave for 10 minutes.
- Pour the filling back into the pan, boil again, and repeat the process.
- Bring the brine to a boil, add it to the container, tighten it with a seaming wrench, turn the lids down, and cover with a blanket.
- When the jars have cooled completely, put them in storage for the winter.
Terms and rules for storing canned food
In order for the “Prague cucumbers” to last all winter, and its taste to remain pleasant and special, you need to adhere to some tricks during storage:
- A few pieces of horseradish placed on top of the cucumbers will help avoid mold.
- You can preserve the “crispness” by adding a small piece of oak bark to the jar.
- Mustard seeds or aspirin will help prevent bombing. One pinch of seasoning or crushed tablet will be enough.
It is best to store preserved food in a cellar or pantry, but many housewives also practice indoor storage. The main thing is that the room is dark and dry.
Due to the fact that the Prague marinade for winter cucumbers contains citric acid, the preparation can be consumed for 1-2 years.
Conclusion
Even a beginner can prepare Prague-style cucumbers for the winter; the canning process is extremely simple. And from several recipe options, each housewife will be able to choose the most suitable one for herself. The appetizer is always in demand on the holiday table, has an incomparable taste and goes well with many dishes. And canned food prepared according to the recipe for Prague cucumbers with citric acid without vinegar can be given even to children.
