Pickled cucumbers in a barrel, in a bucket: 12 recipes for the winter

Harvesting large quantities of vegetables for the winter requires special cooking methods and large containers. Barrel pickled cucumbers are the most important dish of Russian cuisine. For several centuries it has remained one of the hallmarks of the country's culinary culture.

How to properly ferment cucumbers in a barrel

Each hostess carefully keeps her secrets of the preparation of this traditional dish. Depending on the desired result, you can get both cucumbers with a dense structure and tender and crunchy vegetables. Strict adherence to all recipe instructions is a guarantee of a great finished dish.

First you need to choose the right cucumbers correctly. For fermentation, it is best to use specimens that have just been picked from the garden. However, given the large amount of the required starting product, you can take vegetables 3-4 days old. For fermentation, almost all plant varieties are suitable, the pimples of which have black dots.

An obligatory procedure before fermentation is preliminary soaking in cold water. This ensures that you get additional crunch in the dish in the future, and also eliminates possible bitterness. Cucumbers are placed in a large container of water for 4-6 hours. The liquid should be as cold as possible. If desired, you can add a little ice to it.

Salt is another essential ingredient in the preparation of sauerkraut vegetables. To ensure the correct percentage of its content in the finished snack, it is best to use a large stone. Salt "Extra" will not work due to its too fine structure. You should also refrain from iodized and seafood - they activate the fermentation processes.

The most creative aspect of making sauerkraut cucumbers is the use of a variety of spices and additives. Depending on the additional ingredients, the taste of the finished product can change dramatically. Many housewives use dill, garlic, thyme and tarragon for fermentation. Currant and cherry leaves are actively used. One of the most popular additives is the root, horseradish shoots - they make the brine cleaner and protect it from possible mold.

Is it possible to ferment overgrown cucumbers in a barrel

For fermentation, fruits of almost any degree of ripeness are suitable. Even if the cucumbers have grown too large and have thick skin, a great finished product can be obtained.Large specimens are best fermented together - this will guarantee uniform salting.

As with regular cucumbers, overgrown cucumbers are prepared according to almost the same recipe. The difference is only a slightly higher amount of salt used and an increased cooking time. Large fruits, ready-made, fermented in a barrel, due to their appearance, are not served whole, but cut into several parts.

Is it possible to ferment cucumbers in a plastic barrel or bucket

If it is not possible to use traditional wooden barrels, readily available plastic containers or stainless steel buckets can be dispensed with. Such containers can guarantee the absence of foreign odors and tastes in the finished product. In addition, you can use containers of the required volume, depending on the initial amount of the product.

Plastic barrels, metal buckets and lids from them must be prepared before pickling cucumbers. To do this, they are washed twice with a solution of soda. After they need to be scalded with boiling water and wiped dry.

Preparing the barrel for fermentation

The barrel is the most popular container for making sauerkraut. Oak is best for recipes - it contains special compounds that act as preservatives and also prevent the formation and spread of mold. In the absence of an oak barrel, you can use a linden one.

Before starting the preparation, it is important to properly prepare the container. If the barrel has not been used before, then it is necessary to remove tannins from its walls, which can spoil the taste of sauerkraut. If the container was previously used for preparing pickles, it is necessary to thoroughly clean it from traces of previous use. Traditionally, there are 3 stages of barrel preparation - soaking, washing and steaming.

Soaking new wooden dishes takes 2-3 weeks. Change the water every couple of days to avoid a musty smell. As soon as it ceases to be painted in darker tones, you can proceed to the next stage. For previously used barrels, a different method is used - they pour water with bleach dissolved in it for an hour.

After the soaking procedure, the salting containers must be thoroughly washed. In addition to running water, you can use a light baking soda solution - it perfectly helps to fight dirt. For a more thorough washing, iron brushes are used - they allow you to remove even heavily stubborn food residues.

Steaming before pickling cucumbers is analogous to traditional sterilization. To do this, wormwood, juniper, mint are placed on the bottom of the container and poured with several buckets of boiling water. The barrel is tightly closed with a lid and left until the water cools completely.

Traditional recipe for cucumbers pickled in a barrel

In the simplest way of preparing vegetables for the winter, a minimum set of ingredients is used. Pickled cucumbers turn out to be very tasty and crispy, and the absence of additional spices allows you to enjoy the pure taste of the product. To prepare snacks, use:

• 50 kg of medium-sized cucumbers;
• 3.5 kg of coarse salt;
• 1 kg of dill;
• 5 liters of water.

Dill greens are divided into 2 equal parts. One of them is laid out on the bottom of the barrel. Half the cucumbers are placed on top of it. Sprinkle them with the remaining dill, and then lay out the second part of the vegetables. Cucumbers are poured with saline and left for 2-3 days at room temperature. As soon as the process of active fermentation begins, the keg is corked and removed for a month in a cold room, the temperature in which varies from 1 to 3 degrees.

How to ferment cucumbers for the winter in a barrel with horseradish and currant leaves

Barrel pickled vegetables according to this recipe are incredibly juicy and crispy. Horseradish leaves give them a slight piquancy, while currants add a great aroma. To prepare barrel cucumbers according to this recipe, you need:

• 100 kg of the main ingredient;
• 6-7 kg of table salt;
• 1 kg of currant leaves;
• 1 kg of horseradish leaves;
• 10 liters of liquid.

Part of the greenery is placed on the bottom of the oak barrel. On top of it, place half of the previously soaked cucumbers. Then another layer of crushed currant and horseradish leaves is spread, after which the remainder of the main ingredient is added to the barrel. The entire contents are poured with saline and lightly pressed down with oppression.

After a couple of days, the cask cucumbers will begin to ferment. After that, the oppression is removed, the container is hermetically closed with a lid and sent to the cellar or basement. After 1-2 months, barrel pickled cucumbers will be ready. The average shelf life of such a product is 1 year - exactly until the next harvest.

Cucumbers pickled in a barrel for the winter with tarragon

Tarragon greens have an indescribable aroma that is transferred to vegetables. It is best to combine tarragon with dill and horseradish leaves. Cucumbers pickled in this way will not leave indifferent any gourmet. To prepare such a barrel snack you will need:

• 100 kg of fresh vegetables;
• 1 kg of horseradish leaves;
• 1 kg of dill;
• 1 kg tarragon;
• 10 liters of water;
• 6 kg of coarse salt.

The greens are mixed and divided into 3 parts. Cucumbers are placed in a barrel in 2 layers so that each of them is surrounded by aromatic herbs. After that, the salt solution is poured into the barrel. After 2-3 days after pouring, pickled vegetables will begin the natural fermentation process. At this point, the barrel must be tightly covered with a lid and stored in a cool room for several months.

Cucumbers pickled in a barrel with dill and garlic

Barrel vegetables can be prepared with more traditional ingredients. Garlic in combination with dill greens gives sauerkraut a powerful aroma and bright spicy taste. This dish is perfect for noisy winter feasts.

To prepare it you need:

• 100 kg of fresh cucumbers;
• 10 liters of water;
• 7 kg of coarse rock salt;
• 2 kg of garlic;
• 1 kg of dill umbrellas.

Peel the garlic, cut each slice lengthwise into 2 parts and mix them with dill. The resulting mixture is used to prepare sauerkraut cucumbers as layers between two parts of the main ingredient. When the container is filled with vegetables, prepared saline solution is poured into it.

A barrel of cucumbers is left in a room at room temperature. After a few days, the first traces of fermentation will appear in it. Immediately after that, it must be tightly corked and removed to a cold place. Pickled cask cucumbers will be ready in 5-6 weeks.

Cucumbers fermented in a barrel with cherry and horseradish leaves

Cherry leaves are a natural source of substances beneficial to the body. In addition, they significantly improve the structure of barreled sauerkraut, making it more dense and crispy. Combined with horseradish, they provide excellent taste and aroma to the finished dish.

To prepare such a snack you will need:

• 100 kg of the main ingredient;
• 1 kg of cherry leaves;
• 7 kg of salt;
• 1 kg of horseradish greens.

First you need to prepare a saline solution, which will be used for further fermentation. To do this, stir salt in water at the rate of 7 kg of product to 10 liters of liquid. It is best to use hard spring water - it is the guarantee that the finished product will be very crispy.

Future pickled cucumbers are laid out in layers, covering each with a sufficient amount of greens. After that, a saline solution is poured into them. The barrel is left for a couple of days in a warm room.After the start of fermentation, it is corked and put into a cold basement or cellar. After 1-2 months, pickled barrel cucumbers will be ready.

How to ferment cucumbers with mustard seeds in a barrel for the winter

Mustard seeds are an excellent addition to homemade preparations. It introduces small aroma and flavor notes, and also makes the structure of the cask cucumbers denser.

To prepare such a sauerkraut you will need:

• 100 kg of cucumbers;
• 6-7 kg of salt;
• 10 liters of water;
• 500 g mustard seeds;
• 1 kg of dill;
• 20 bay leaves.

As with other recipes, lay out the main ingredient in layers, alternating them with a mixture of herbs and spices. After that, future barreled pickled cucumbers are poured with saline at the rate of 6-7 kg of salt per 10 liters of water. After 2 days, traces of fermentation will appear in the container, which means that the barrel must be tightly closed with a lid and removed to a cold room. Barrel cucumbers will be fully cooked 1 month after the start of fermentation.

Cucumbers pickled for the winter in a barrel with horseradish root and hot pepper

Spicy food lovers can add additional ingredients to the recipe for a great cask snack. Horseradish root gives astringency and powerful aroma to cucumbers. Depending on the taste preferences of the consumer, the level of pungency can be neutralized by changing the amount of pepper added.

On average, 100 kg of the main ingredient will require:

• 500 g of hot chilli pepper;
• 500 g horseradish root;
• 1 kg of dill;
• 7 kg of salt.

Horseradish is peeled and rubbed on a coarse grater. Hot pepper is cut lengthwise, seeds are removed from it and divided into several pieces. Horseradish and chili are mixed with finely chopped dill. The resulting mixture is used for layers between cucumbers. The filled barrel is filled with 10 liters of saline solution.

After a few days, active fermentation will begin in the barrel. At this time, it must be hermetically sealed and placed in a fairly cool place with a temperature of 1-4 degrees. Pickled cask cucumbers will be ready after 1 month, but they are best consumed during the winter months - the taste of the product will be fuller and more versatile.

Cucumbers as barrel, pickled in a bucket

The absence of a large wooden barrel should not put lovers of homemade preparations in a stalemate. A food grade plastic or stainless steel bucket is perfect for making delicious pickled cucumbers. For such a recipe you need:

• 8 kg of fresh cucumbers;
• 3 heads of garlic;
• 6 liters of water;
• 10 cherry leaves;
• 10 currant leaves;
• 10 dill umbrellas;
• 12 Art. l. coarse salt.

At the bottom of a plastic bucket, spread half the greens mixed with peeled garlic. After that, cucumbers are placed there, which are covered with the second half of the leaves on top. The fruits are poured with saline. The bucket is left in a warm room for 2-3 days. After the start of fermentation, the bucket is covered with a lid and placed in a cold room for further fermentation. After a month, pickled cucumbers will be ready.

How to ferment cucumbers in a bucket of bread

The original recipe for making pickled vegetables with the addition of bread is one of the traditional dishes of the Siberian region. The product, prepared in a bucket, tastes as good as the barrel version. The bread improves natural fermentation, as well as subtle aromatic notes and a slight yeast flavor. To prepare 6 kg of cucumbers, you must take:

• 300 g of black bread;
• 300 g of salt;
• 200 g sugar;
• 5 liters of liquid;
• 5 dill umbrellas;
• 2 tbsp. l. mustard seeds.

Cucumbers are placed in a food grade plastic bucket mixed with dill and mustard. A solution made from salt, sugar and water is poured into them. The bread is cut into pieces and placed in a gauze bag. It is immersed in a bucket, which is removed after 2 days in a cool place. The pickled cucumbers will be ready in a month. The shelf life of such a product is on average 3-4 months.

Cucumbers fermented in a bucket with oak leaves

Oak leaves contain a large amount of tannins, which make the structure of the finished dish thicker and crisper. Vegetables pickled in this way are very similar in consistency to barrels.

To prepare a snack you will need:

• 7 kg of the main ingredient;
• 20 oak leaves;
• 500 g of salt;
• 6 liters of water;
• 10 cherry leaves;
• 5 dill umbrellas.

The bottom of the plastic bucket is lined with half the leaves, dill and one third of the salt. Cucumbers are laid on top in a dense layer, which are sprinkled with the remaining seasonings and poured with water. As soon as fermentation begins in the bucket, it should be covered with a lid and removed to a cold room for further fermentation.

How to ferment cucumbers in a bucket in your own juice

The process of preparing a delicious sauerkraut snack without adding water, although it takes a little more time, its result also will not leave indifferent any lover of homemade preparations. Additional juice separation occurs due to the applied pressure.

To prepare 8 kg of cucumbers in this way, you will need:

• 600 g of salt;
• a large bunch of dill;
• 15-20 currant leaves.

Spread 1/3 of all the salt and 1/2 of the leaves and herbs at the bottom. Put half the cucumbers on top. They are sprinkled with another third salt. Then lay out a layer of cucumbers again, which is covered with the remaining herbs and salt. From above, the vegetables are pressed down with oppression. As soon as the abundant secretion of juice begins, the bucket is moved to a cool room for 2 months. Cucumbers pickled in this way are less crunchy than traditional cask cucumbers, but their taste is in no way inferior to them.

Why cucumbers, pickled in a barrel or bucket, become soft

Violation of the cooking technology can lead to significant damage to the finished product. One of these violations is the excessive softness of sauerkraut and the almost complete absence of crunch. The most common problem is elevated indoor temperatures.

One of the highlights of each recipe is to move the cucumber container to a cooler place. If you are late for 2-3 days, fermentation will become uncontrollable, which will lead to a complete loss of dense structure. It is important that the temperature in the cellar or basement does not rise above 3-4 degrees.

What to do to prevent mold in a barrel of pickled cucumbers

Mold can upset any housewife. This is often due to improper storage conditions for sauerkraut cucumbers. The main reason for the appearance of mold is the ingress of clean air into the container with vegetables. To avoid this, it is necessary to make sure that the cover is tight. For additional air protection, you can cover the lid with another layer of gauze.

There is another method to get rid of mold. When the cucumbers are in a warm room, it is necessary to lower a long wooden stick once a day. This will get rid of gases accumulated in the bottom of the barrel, which can lead to accelerated mold growth.

Storage rules

Subject to the necessary conditions, pickled barrel cucumbers can be stored for quite a long time. Depending on the chosen cooking recipe, the shelf life of the finished product can be 1.5-2 years. To achieve such results, the room in which the container with cucumbers is located must meet a few simple requirements.

The temperature in it should not fall below 0 and rise above 3 degrees. The room should not penetrate direct sunlight, there should be no sources of open air. A deep cellar in a backyard or summer cottage is best suited for these purposes.

Conclusion

Barrel pickled cucumbers will delight housewives with great taste and special juiciness.In suitable conditions, such a dish can be stored all winter. A wide variety of recipes using additional ingredients will allow every housewife to create a unique culinary masterpiece.

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