Content
The presence of a variety of pickles is a characteristic feature of Russian cuisine. Starting from the 16th century, when salt ceased to be an imported luxury, vegetables began to be preserved by pickling. Pickles are considered appetizers, but this does not mean that they are necessarily served with strong drinks. The main property of pickles is to stimulate the appetite.
Secret of success
Lightly salted cucumbers are perhaps the most common appetizer and one of the most beloved Russian dishes. The difference between lightly salted cucumbers and other pickles is the short-term effect of salt.
Various spices are added to the brine for lightly salted cucumbers: dill, cherry or currant leaves, horseradish, pepper, celery and others. This allows you to vary the taste of a regular dish. Lightly salted cucumbers can be different every time: fresh and spicy, with a garlic aroma or a spicy note of celery or bell pepper. This is why lightly salted cucumbers are loved.
Housewives love to prepare lightly salted cucumbers, since the process does not require effort or time. Each has its own, time-tested and loved by household members, recipe. The versatility of lightly salted cucumbers is that they can be consumed as an independent dish, served with main courses, or used as part of salads or first courses.
The success of the dish depends on the choice of cucumbers. Of course, do lightly salted cucumbers It is also possible in winter, when only the greenhouse version of vegetables is available. But the most delicious and healthy, without a doubt, are cucumbers grown with your own hands on your own plot. The quality of which cannot be doubted.
Dense, limp cucumbers are ideal for pickling, then success is guaranteed. There are many ways to prepare lightly salted cucumbers. Here you will be offered a recipe for pickling using carbonated mineral water. Lightly salted cucumbers in mineral water are prepared very quickly, simply, with a minimum amount of effort. But the result will please you; the cucumbers turn out very crispy.
Recipe
To prepare you will need the following ingredients:
- fresh firm cucumbers – 1 kg;
- dill umbrellas to add aroma - 5-10 pieces, if there are no umbrellas, dill greens will do;
- garlic - 1 large head, fresh is also better;
- salt – 2-3 level tablespoons;
- secret ingredient - carbonated mineral water - 1 liter, the more carbonated, the better. You can take any water. From overseas San Pellegrino or Perrier to any local water.
Prepare a container for pickling. This could be a glass jar with a lid, a plastic container, or an enamel pan. But it is better if the container has a tight-fitting lid so that the gases do not evaporate. Start cooking.
- Place half of the pre-washed dill on the bottom.
- The garlic needs to be peeled and cut into slices. Place half of the chopped garlic on top of the dill.
- Place cucumbers on top, which must first be washed and allowed to drain.You can cut off the ends. If the cucumbers are not quite fresh or have wilted, then make a cross-shaped cut at the bottom, then the brine will penetrate better into the cucumber.
- Cover the cucumbers with the remaining dill and garlic.
- Open a bottle of highly carbonated mineral water. Dissolve salt in it.To avoid losing gas bubbles during stirring, pour out about half a glass of water and dissolve the salt in it.
- Pour the prepared brine over the cucumbers. Cover them with a lid and put them in the refrigerator for a day. If you can't bear to try it before, mega crispy, aromatic cucumbers are an ideal addition to potatoes or barbecue.
Even with this simple recipe there are variations. You can leave the cucumbers at room temperature for a day, and only then place them in the refrigerator for 12 hours. Try it and decide for yourself which option you like best. Video recipe:
The benefits of lightly salted cucumbers
Everyone knows the fact that cucumbers consist of 90% water, in which ascorbic acid, iodine, potassium, magnesium and other trace elements are dissolved. In lightly salted cucumbers, all elements and vitamins are preserved, since there is no heat effect, the pickling process was short and they contain a minimal amount of salt and no vinegar.
Lightly salted cucumbers can be eaten by people who, for health reasons, cannot eat a lot of salt. For example, hypertensive patients. Pregnant women can eat lightly salted cucumbers in mineral water, in almost unlimited quantities, without fear of harming the unborn child; in addition, they help cope with attacks of nausea and manifestations of toxicosis.
Lightly salted cucumbers are a dietary product; 100 g contains only 12 kcal, so they can be consumed while on a diet.
Compound
Lightly salted cucumbers have a very good composition:
- Dietary fiber, which improves intestinal motility;
- Calcium;
- Sodium;
- Potassium;
- Iodine;
- Magnesium;
- Iron;
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid);
- B vitamins;
- Vitamin A;
- Vitamin E.
This is not a complete list of useful vitamins and microelements contained in lightly pickled cucumbers.
Conclusion
Try preparing cucumbers according to the recipe with mineral water. An element of creativity is also possible here; add other spices and get new shades of taste. The popularity of the recipe lies in its simplicity and always excellent results.
