Quick Dill Pickles

These quick dill pickles are really quick to make — and to disappear! If you're looking for a go-to recipe for refrigerator pickles, you'll be happy to find this one, adapted from a recipe by Nikki and David Goldbeck. Once you use this easy recipe, if you like your pickles saltier, more vinegary, more garlicky, and/or sweeter, you can play with those flavors in your future batches. These are quick and easy, and a lot less expensive than buying jars of good pickles.

Makes about a quart jar

2 medium unwaxed (preferably organic) cucumbers
1 small onion
1 small clove garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
1 cup hot water
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons agave nectar
3 tablespoons white or cider vinegar

Slice each cucumber lengthwise into 8 sticks and then cut those in half crosswise to shorten them. Slice the onion into rings.

Layer the cucumber and onion rings in a wide, nonmetal covered dish.

Scatter the dill and garlic on top.

Mix the hot water with the salt and agave to dissolve. Add the vinegar. Pour this mixture over the cucumbers. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours before using. You can keep this in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Note: Whatever isn't used immediately can be transferred to a quart jar (with all the liquid, etc.) before storing.