QUICK BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES

Sweet bread and butter pickles are not only a tasty burger or sandwich condiment, they also make a yummy snack. If you want to make some in a pinch, here’s a recipe that won’t take much time but still offers all the flavor of the traditional pickle. And remember: the fresher the cucumber, the crispier the pickles.

6 Kirby cucumbers

½ cup white vinegar

½ cup cider vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 white onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon allspice berries

¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Slice the cucumbers into ½-inch slices, and place them in a large sealable container. Put the white vinegar, cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, onions, garlic, mustard seeds, allspice berries, and red pepper flakes in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Pour the vinegar mixture over the sliced cucumbers. If the cucumbers are not fully submerged, cover them with cold water. Refrigerate the pickles for at least 1 hour before serving.

MAKES 1 ½ PINTS.