I heart my big, yellow Gourmet cookbook. (I think that has been well-established.) There are quite a few recipes that can be adapted to fresh produce from the garden. If you are picking cukes, you must make this. Especially if you are picking just a few a day.
The original recipe called for horseradish paste but having none, I added some of our favorite wasabi paste.
Wasabi Quick Dilled Pickles
based on Quick Dilled Pickles from The Gourmet Cookbook1 lb. cucumbers
2 t. kosher salt
1 1/2 c. cider vinegar
1/2 c. sugar
4 T. dry mustard
1/2 to 2 t. wasabi paste (depending on your heat preference)
2 T. chopped fresh dillSlice cucumbers length-wise on a mandoline. Place in a medium mixing bowl and sprinkle with Kosher salt. Toss and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse and drain.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, mustard, wasabi, and dill. Whisk until sugar is dissolved.
Stir in the cucumbers and let set at least five minutes. Store in a sealable container. Keeps covered in refrigerator for up to 4 hours.
“Keeps covered in refrigerator for up to 4 hours”??????
I guess Reichl and her Gourmet staff ate them all up immediately. I kept them for a couple of days. These are great on burgers and sandwiches! (We like heat so I used the full 2 t. wasabi paste. These did clean out our sinuses. 🙂
Abby, this isn’t a virtual flower for you today. I am showing you my favorite cacti garden. 
But, I really wanted to show you what’s on the other side: the muppet cacti.
Seriously, does this not look like a muppet?
Big mouth muppet.
And this is a lucky garden…
This is a lucky pig….seriously, it is a lucky three-legged pig.
The pig and the muppets are sending you lots of giggles today.
I love your cacti garden..that indeed looks so much like a muppet!
The quick dilled cucumber slices are very appetizing.
I love the muppet cacti. They’re really called split rock.
Those pickles sound amazing. Where did you find the wasabi paste? I know we would love these! Pinning this one for sure 🙂 Love the cacti too. Have a wonderful weekend!
I just got mine at the grocery store in th Asian aisle.
It is also great in deviled eggs!
Thank you!
You are welcome!
The recipe was great but the muppet cactus was great! It made me laugh out loud!
🙂 I wish I remembered enough about the muppets to know which one it looked like.
My daughter thinks it looks like Kermit but I think it looks like Scooter!
I think it might be a toss up. I’m leaning toward Scooter now that you mention it.
That’s a terrific cookbook! I so miss the magazine. 🙁 Anyway, great recipe! This has loads of nice flavor, and is easy. What more could I want? Thanks!
I mourn the magazine. 🙁
Dill pickles with a kick…love this idea! Now if I only had your garden :/
Thanks, Liz. It is winding down though. Getting ready for fall.
We’re on our 2nd round of pickles for the year, and these wasabi pickles are calling my name! YUM!
I’ve lost count as to what round we are on.
Now I know what I’m going to make with the next couple of cucumbers that I picked. Love Wasabi and of course, I do love pickles. Great recipe!
And I am making you cucumber vinegar.