Pickled cucumber (gherkins)

Description

Pickled cucumber (gherkins) is a small, stout cucumber with a distinctly bumpy skin, a vibrant green color, and a pleasantly crunchy texture. The taste is sour-salty with a subtle hint of dill and garlic resulting from the spices used in the brine. It contains few calories, is rich in water, has small amounts of fiber, vitamin K, certain amounts of B vitamins, and minerals such as potassium; in the case of fermented cucumbers, it supports gut microflora due to the presence of probiotics. However, it is important to keep in mind the moderate salt content, which is significant for a low-sodium diet. Gherkins pair well with sandwiches, burgers, salads, remoulade sauces, cheese boards, and snacks, as well as being an ingredient in vegetable salad and meat tarts. They are best stored in brine, in a tightly sealed jar; an opened jar should be kept in the refrigerator and used within a few weeks, always using clean utensils, and it is unsafe to store them outside of refrigeration for long periods after opening.