The Bizarre Method For Pickling Cucumbers In Just Two Minutes

People love pickles. The crisp green spear next to the sandwich from the deli or diner is iconic. Pickles are what make a fried chicken sandwich not just good, but great. They're a staple at the Renaissance Faire served out of large wooden barrels, and they've found a popular niche in convenience stores as an on-the-go snack. From the classic dill variety to bread and butter and half sour, there's a pickle for everyone, and they're easy to make at home.

Making pickles from scratch has always been a fun project that is relatively easy for home cooks. Of course, the magic of making pickles is allowing cucumbers to rest in the brine, soaking up all the tangy goodness, and that takes time. If you need your pickles quicker, don't fear — there's a way to have them in under two minutes with a nifty little tool. All you need is a syringe for super-fast pickles that you can enjoy in no time.

It may sound crazy, but a simple medicine syringe can have you making pickles in less time than it takes to eat one. You'll want to get a large medicine syringe for this to work, since you will be putting pickles inside it. Additionally, you'll need cucumbers and a pickling liquid.

Slice your pickles thin — ideally about ¼ inch — and then cut your slices into quarters. Once they're ready, load some of them into the body of the syringe and put the plunger in. Next, use the syringe to suck up pickling liquid until your cucumber slices are covered. Finally, place a finger over the open tip of the syringe and pull the plunger back. This step is key — your finger creates a vacuum that forces the brine into the pickles. After holding it for 30 seconds or so, let the liquid out. Repeat the brine and vacuum steps a few more times to ensure the cucumbers are pickled enough.

The result of this process is a batch of brilliantly thin, tangy pickles. The science behind this is pretty cool: The vacuum process introduces negative pressure, which breaks down the cucumber membranes so that brine can enter. It cuts down on the time traditional pickles take without sacrificing any flavor.

Once you've mastered this technique, you'll always be able to have delicious pickles on hand to complement your meals. Their briny, tangy flavor works wonders to add brightness to meals, especially those that are heavier. Chef Daniel Orr of FARMbloomington agrees. He told Bon Appétit, "Pickles add a spicy or sweet-and-sour note to smoked fish, roasted meats, and other foods with a lot of fat." They really are the perfect way to add a pop of acid for balanced flavor.

When you feel comfortable, you can begin to play with different flavor combinations and brine recipes. Not only that, you can make them spicy by adding some hot pepper or hot sauce into the mix. Don't forget, there's plenty you can do with leftover brine. The syringe method may sound a bit different, but it's a great tool to really perfect your pickle game.