Memories can come at any time. But today as I have been out in the garden, memories invaded my thoughts. As I picked each buttery-colored wax bean, I thought of my mother.
Even when she lived with me at the age of 94, she helped me snip beans. Along with the beans, I brought in a fine bouquet of gladiolas to please her and to perk up the scenery in the house. Though her eyesight was blurred, she could still enjoy the colorful flowers and with a bowl in her lap, she kept snipping till the beans were all finished and ready for processing. That is a fond memory.
I also spent time amongst the cucumber vines today. We eat them fresh. I remember how my mother used to peel the cucumbers. Then before slicing them she scored the length of them with the tines of a fork. When sliced, the cucumber edges showed a lace-type look which enhanced their appearance. I don’t know if they taste better that way, but they sure look special.
And then there are pickles. Our family loves my dill pickles. They are so sour that tears come to the eyes of some of our grandchildren. And then they say, “Boy, that’s good!” My husband just chuckles.
It is his mother’s dill pickle recipe that I use. I have tried others, but for our family this one is the best. I have been hesitant to share this recipe with my readers thinking that it might be an heirloom recipe that I should keep in our family.
One day, as I perused some of my mother-in-law’s recipe books, I happened on a pickle cook book. I found scores of different recipes. Tucked in its pages were several pickle recipes she had found in the newspaper. And it was there I discovered it. The recipe I have been using over these many years as a farmwife was listed in newsprint! So it is not an heirloom recipe to be protected after all.
If you like sour pickles, this recipe will suit you. I often make large cucumbers into long slices when I don’t have the small variety of cucumber to work with. When I have too much dill in my garden, I freeze the flowers and leaves to use at a later time.
I hope you enjoy this treat with many of your favorite meals. Be sure to share it when company comes over for dinner. You may get some interesting responses from your guests.
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