Pickle question from a Newbie :)

[sslawlor]

I put up quart jars of garlic dills last Sept.. Whole, sliced and spears. How long will they keep? Will they get "over pickled?"
Thanks, Sue

 

[big brown horse]

Hi Sue! I'm not an expert canner, however I'm sure someone with "canned pickle experience" will be here shortly. Just wanted to say welcome to ss!


ETA: added commas where needed

 

[sslawlor]

Thanks for the welcome! Sue

 

[old fashioned]

I'm no expert either, but I don't think they get "over pickled". I would think it would be the same as store bought pickles kept for a long time. And I would think they'd keep for years if properly stored. I don't know about that since pickles in any form don't last around here One of my kids favorite snacks.
Haven't you tried them yet?

Oh and

 

[sslawlor]

Yes, they tasted ok to me. I just "thought" that I had read somewhere that they can get mushy and should be used in 6 months. Now , as I said...I think I read...... But this brain fog has taken its toll. I did not want to see all the hard work go to the compost pile because I waited too long for them to "become" pickles! Im a sweet pickle person myself, but these actually tasted pretty good. I've used 2 quarts so far and my brothers family has eaten 2 jars as well. They are Garlic Dills for sure. Sue

 

[old fashioned]

Did you pickle them in a crock? or directly into the jar?
It sounds like you fresh packed your cukes & stuff directly into the jars? If so, that's just how I've done it too & it usually only takes about 8 to 10 weeks to become pickles and they should be good for atleast 2 years or more.
Although I'd question the quality of ANYTHING after about 5 years, but that's just me & others may feel differently.

I'm not a big pickle person, but I do like both sweet & dills on occaision. Though we all do fight over the garlic in the jar

 

[sslawlor]

Yes Old Fashioned, I did fresh pack them right into the jars. Im so glad that what I thought I read was wrong! I wanted to send a few south for a gift to my elderly Aunt who is a Dill Pickle fanatic. I did not want to send her somthing nasty and mushy. Now I wish I knew just what I DID read that said "use in 6 months"!!!!!!

 

[rebecca100]

You sound like me. My mind hasn't worked right in a while. It is starting to get better though. I can't tell you how many things I have lost while holding them!

 

[old fashioned]

I'm not sure about you guys, but.....around here it's due to old age creeping in & I call it "Sometimers" disease.

ETA---which happens all too often around here!!

 

[sslawlor]

Oh Rebecca, I dont think the human brain was meant to store as much as we need to in this day and age. If I could imagine a picture of my brain it would be a file cabinet with most drawers half opened, some won't close and crumpled pieces of paper jammed into them. No more room...cant find it ...I know I have it.... Where is it?... It's filed in a safe place...Ugh. SO frustrating!