This was my plan: Make wonderful Tarragon Quick Pickles and serve them with a nice sandwich. I bought freshly baked ciabatta, cracked black pepper smoked turkey, fresh tomatoes, and muenster cheese for the sandwich. For the pickles, I selected cute little kirby cucumbers and some fresh tarragon. Then, just as I was ready to make the pickles, I discovered there was no vinegar in my pantry. And there it was, no vinegar means no pickles. I could have jumped in the car and made yet another trip to the store to pick up a forgotten item, but my brain said, "No". At the same time I was very annoyed that I couldn't use the pickles for my submission to Weekend Herb Blogging, which was created by Kalyn at Kalyn's Kitchen, an event I dearly love. So, I decided to give you the recipe for Tarragon Quick Pickles. The photo shows "almost" pickles, because the vital process of pickling wasn't achieved, but I hope I can still take part in WHB, which is being hosted by Ulrike at Küchenlatein. Please go to her site and see all the other herby bloggers and their superb recipes.
I love sandwiches. This ciabatta bread was so fresh, it was still warm from the oven. I started layering with turkey, red onions, and cheese...
.....then tomatoes and lettuce. These weren't vine ripened tomatoes from my garden (I'm still waiting for them), but they were OK.
Enough for 2-4 people.
This is a simple recipe, with the key ingredient (other than vinegar) being tarragon. Many people have never tried this delightful herb, with it's slightly anise flavor. I once thought tarragon was a useless herb, because I had only used the dry variety. Fresh tarragon is marvelous and may convert you into a fan, if you've never cared for this herb . For some reason, vinegar and tarragon are perfect partners, complimenting each other. This recipe can be served after only an overnight pickling, but they taste even better after a stay in the fridge for 5 weeks.
Tarragon Quick Pickles
Note: To make "almost" pickles, just quarter some cucumbers and arrange them on a plate. Then imagine they are pickles
4 to 5 Kirby (pickly type) cucumbers, washed and cut into quarters
2 cups white vinegar
2 or 3 sprigs of fresh tarragon (I use 3 large sprigs)
1/3 cup, plus 1 Tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
Put the cucumbers and tarragon in a large glass jar or container. Heat the vinegar, red pepper flakes, sugar, and salt in a small pan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt have dissolved, then pour this liquid over the pickles. Let it cool in the jar, uncovered, then put in the fridge overnight or up until 5 weeks.
Thanks for the quick pickles. The sandwich looks great, I think with "really" and "almost" pickles the taste must be great. My tarragon is recovering now.
Posted by: Ulrike | June 10, 2007 at 02:01 AM
I love to make quick pickles, and I have trouble growing dill in my garden. Tarragon, on the other hand, grows like crazy for me, so tarragon pickles sound like the perfect solution. Thanks for the recipe.
Posted by: Lydia | June 10, 2007 at 05:37 AM
I think I told you I planted tarragon for the first time, after hearing you and others rave about the flavor of fresh tarragon. I have everything for the pickles, so I'm going to try making it with Splenda. So thanks for the recipe even though your own pickles are not yet realized!
What are Kirby cucumbers? Is that a variety of pickling cucumber?
Your sandwich is just awesome looking. My dad is a huge sandwich fan. He thinks everything tastes better on a sandwich!
Posted by: Kalyn | June 10, 2007 at 05:37 AM
quickles! mmmm, that sandwich....
Posted by: aria | June 10, 2007 at 07:14 AM
Mmmmmh that sandwich looks very yummy! I'd like to have a bite or two.
Pickling cucumbers with tarragon is an interesting approach, I'd like to try this one.
Posted by: astrid | June 10, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Oh good, another pickle recipe for my repetoire - can't have too many and I love the quick ones. And I like the tarragon...
Posted by: Katie | June 10, 2007 at 12:45 PM
The way the onion rings are arranged make it look like a beautiful piece of art!
LOL at Aria's 'quickles'.
Posted by: Butta Buns | June 10, 2007 at 07:12 PM
well, that's it then, the sopranos has ended here on the east coast.
sher, any a'dose ciabatta sandwiches left?
watching it has left us with an appetite you could drive an suv through!
have a nice evening...purrs & scritches for upsie & sunshine boy.
Posted by: taboo & whaleshaman | June 10, 2007 at 07:33 PM
Hmmm... I've never had fresh tarragon! You may have another convert.
Posted by: s'kat | June 11, 2007 at 07:28 AM
OH, I'm already a fan of tarragon, I grow it every year. I must make these pickles! Thanks.
Posted by: Lisa | June 12, 2007 at 04:47 PM