Pickled cucumbers

Pickled cucumbers are among the most beloved preserved foods in Czech and Central European cuisine. Small cucumbers are preserved in a vinegar brine with dill, garlic, mustard seeds and other spices. The result is a refreshing sour or sweet-and-sour flavor that pairs perfectly with richer, heavier dishes. They are served as a side to meat dishes, in hamburgers, hot dogs, steak tartare, in salads such as potato salad, or on cold platters. In Czech culinary tradition, pickled cucumbers hold a special and irreplaceable place, with every household having its own trusted brine recipe.