Recipes for cucumbers and apples for the winter: cook deliciously and roll up correctly

Cucumbers are useful for those who watch their weight, and apples are indispensable in the diet of people who lack iron in their bodies. But how to combine products that seem so different at first glance? It's simple, preserve apples and cucumbers and enjoy healthy and tasty snacks all winter.

Let's take a closer look at the secrets of successful preparations and find out what recipes loved by experienced cooks and housewives.

Selection of cucumbers and apples for pickling

The taste and shelf life of pickles depends on the quality of the selected vegetables. To make apples and cucumbers tasty when canning, select only young fruits. They should be juicy and fresh. Pay attention to the appearance of the products; items with scratches and cracks are absolutely not suitable. Watch the density of cucumbers and apples; there should be no voids inside. For uniform salting, select products that are even and approximately equal in size.

Cucumbers should be small, 10-15 cm in length. Choose only fresh, bright green vegetables. Cucumbers with tubercles with black spines are best suited for pickling. The best varieties are Zozulya, Kurazh and Boy with Thumb. As for apples, pay special attention to late varieties such as Lobo, Antey, Bogatyr.

Preparation

To ensure a successful canning process, select a recipe in advance and purchase all the ingredients needed for it. Don't forget to prepare the jars and sterilize them; you can use a special sterilizer or a regular oven. Sterilization is necessary so that pickles are stored as long as possible and do not lose their beneficial qualities. Then wash the cucumbers and apples thoroughly and sort by size. Place vegetables of the same size in one jar.

Prepare the water in advance. Soft water is ideal for pickling; if possible, use spring or well water. If you use tap water, let them sit. Salt plays an important role; buy coarse, non-iodized salt. For pickling you will need vinegar. As a rule, they use the usual one, but sometimes the recipe involves the use of wine, grape or apple.

Interesting! Grape vinegar contains a large amount of antioxidants, which are necessary for weight loss. The product speeds up metabolism and speeds up digestion. The product treats low stomach acidity and helps eliminate chronic fatigue.

Recipes for winter preparations

Pickles will complement not only a family dinner, but will also decorate a festive feast. Properly prepared dishes will delight you all winter and supply you with the necessary vitamins. Let's look at the most popular recipes for pickled cucumbers with apples.

Canned cucumbers with sweet and sour apples

A simple recipe that even a novice cook can master. For one can of canned cucumbers with sweet and sour apples you will need:

• 2 kg of cucumbers;
• 2 medium-sized sweet and sour apples;
• 4 cloves of garlic;
• dill umbrella;
• 3-4 currant leaves;
• 4 bay leaves;
• 5 black peppercorns;
• 25 g sugar;
• 15 g salt;
• seasoning for pickling to taste;
• 10 g vinegar.

Cooking technology:

1. Wash the cucumbers, dry them and trim the base. Wash the apples, peel them and seeds, cut them into small slices.
2. Rinse the greens and dry. Sterilize the jar and dry it in the sun.
3. The first layer is greens and foliage, only then put cucumbers in a dense layer, with apple pieces on them. Top with pepper, garlic and pickling seasoning.
4. Fill the jar with hot water and let it sit for an hour. Drain the liquid into a saucepan, add sugar, salt and vinegar. Pour the resulting brine back into the jar.
5. Close the jars with clean lids and scalded with boiling water. Turn the workpiece upside down, cover with a blanket and leave to cool. It is recommended to store the dish in the basement or refrigerator.

Recipe with green apple, garlic and spices

Often it is the spices that play a decisive role in preparations; whether the dish is sweet or sour depends on them. To combine cucumbers harmoniously with green apples and spices, use the following ingredients:

• 1.5 kg of cucumbers;
• 1 sour green apple;
• 6 cloves of garlic;
• 12 peppercorns;
• 20 g sugar;
• 15 g salt;
• 10 g vinegar;
• basil, coriander, lemon balm and mint to taste.

Cooking algorithm:

1. Wash cucumbers, apples and herbs. Peel the garlic, cut into large slices.
2. Place cucumbers in clean jars, top with herbs and spices, then add apple slices (do not remove the peel).
3. Pour boiling water into the jar, after 20 minutes pour it into the pan. Add sugar, salt and vinegar. Boil for 10 minutes.
4. Pour the brine into a jar and roll up with clean lids. Turn the jars over and wrap until cool. Store at room temperature or in a cool place.

Interesting! If desired, you can add cinnamon, curry, thyme or sage.Spices help cope with fluid retention in the body, reduce swelling of the legs and bags under the eyes.

Pickling without vinegar

If you don't like the taste or smell of vinegar, try a recipe that doesn't require it. Even children can eat such preparations. For one jar you need:

• 1.5 kg of cucumbers;
• 3 medium apples;
• 25 grams of currant leaves;
• 1.5 liters of water for brine;
• 30 g sugar;
• 30 g salt.

Cooking method:

1. Remove the core of the apple and cut it into slices.
2. Place washed currant leaves at the bottom of the jar. Place cucumbers and apples.
3. Boil 1.5 liters of water, add sugar and salt. Pour boiling water into a jar, let it brew for 5 minutes, drain and repeat the procedure.
4. Pour the brine in for the third time and tighten the jar.

Apples with cucumbers without sterilization

A simple and quick recipe that will save your energy and time. To prepare you will need:

• 6-8 pieces of medium-sized cucumbers;
• 1 green apple;
• 2-3 cloves of garlic;
• 2 bay leaves;
• 3 peas of allspice;
• 1 dill umbrella;
• 8 currant leaves;
• 1.5 liters of water;
• 2 leaves of horseradish;
• 15 g salt;
• 10 g vinegar;
• 25 g sugar.

To prepare apples and cucumbers without sterilization you need:

1. Wash the ingredients, cut the apples into 4 parts, do not remove the peel and core. Trim the ends of the cucumbers on both sides.
2. Place horseradish leaves, dill, seasoning, currant leaves and bay leaf into a clean jar.
3. Fill the jars with cucumbers, alternating with apples.
4. Boil water and pour it into jars for 4-5 minutes and cover the jars with lids. It is at this moment that sterilization occurs. Pour the water into the pan, boil it again and pour it back into the jar.
5. The third time during boiling, add sugar, salt and vinegar.
6. Pour the brine into jars and roll up.

How to properly close jars

You can seal jars using tin, polyethylene or glass lids. The most popular are yellow lacquered tin lids. They are easy to use and inexpensive. Roll up the jars using:

• manual typewriter;
• automatic seaming machine;
• vacuum pump.

Most often, housewives use automatic seaming machines. The device is equipped with special lever handles that simply lower down and the jar is ready.

The machine will simplify the rolling process and save your time. The main thing is to check the lids for leaks before sealing so that the jars do not explode. To do this, turn the jar over and check if it is leaking.

Storage rules and periods

Once the jars are rolled up, wrap them in a blanket and turn them upside down for a day. During this time, the workpieces will cool down. Then place them in a dry and cool place, such as a cellar, garage, balcony or refrigerator.

The main storage conditions are minimum light and cool temperature. It is recommended to store pickled cucumbers with apples for no more than 1 year; after this period, the seal is broken and the products deteriorate, acquiring a pronounced sour taste.

Remove vegetables only with a clean spoon to avoid contamination of bacteria. After which the jar is tightly closed with a nylon lid. Once opened, pickles are stored for three days. Inspect the workpieces daily for signs of brine cloudiness and mold. If you notice plaque, cloudy brine or deformation of the fruit, do not eat the dish under any circumstances.

Read also:

What to do if cucumber seedlings turn yellow.

How to grow cucumbers on the balcony and get a harvest.

Why gray rot appears on cucumbers and how to deal with it.

Useful tips from experienced housewives

To make winter pickles tasty and not spoil for a long time, housewives share their cooking secrets with each other. Let's look at the most useful and effective recommendations:

1. Salad varieties of cucumbers are not suitable for pickling; they will quickly lose their elasticity and taste.
2. Before cooking, thoroughly wash cucumbers, apples, and herbs.
3. Simmer the marinade over low heat for a richer flavor.
4. Feel free to experiment with spices and herbs.
5. Don't forget to cut off the ends of the cucumber on both sides.
6. Check canning jars for cracks and chips.
7. You can even sterilize jars in a slow cooker or convection oven.

Reviews

Pickled cucumbers with apples are a very unusual combination. But despite this, many housewives have already noted the excellent and interesting taste of such pickles.

Natalya, Moscow: «I always prepare pickles without adding vinegar, as I suffer from frequent heartburn. The recipe for pickled apples and cucumbers is one of my favorites. The cucumbers turn out crispy and juicy, and the apples add an unusual sour taste.”

Maria, Orel: “As a lover of spicy foods, I add not only pepper and salt to the jars, but also basil, saffron and mustard. It turns out to be a very tasty and versatile dish. These cucumbers especially go well with potatoes and meat.”

Evgeniy, Chelyabinsk: “I decided to pickle cucumbers and apples for the first time in the summer. I used the classic recipe with sterilization. Overall, the dish was not bad, but 2 of the 7 cans exploded, and the rest had a strong taste of vinegar, although I followed the entire recipe.”

Conclusion

If you are bored with standard recipes, then prepare cucumbers and apples for the winter.The dish retains vitamins and minerals and will be a tasty addition to lunch or dinner. For lovers of healthy food, there is a recipe without adding vinegar, and for those who prefer unusual taste sensations, housewives recommend adding a mixture of Provencal herbs to the jars.