Sandwich Pickles

Ingredients

6 cloves garlic, peeled

4 teaspoons dill seed

2 teaspoons black peppercorns

3 pounds kirby cucumbers (or other unwaxed, small-seeded 4- to 5-inch pickling cucumbers)

2 1/4 cups apple cider vinegar

2 1/4 cups water

6 3/4 teaspoons pickling salt

Instructions

1. Divide garlic, dill, and peppercorns between 2 clean quart jars. Wash cucumbers and trim away blossom ends. Cut each into 6 to 8 spears. Pack spears vertically and snugly into jars.
2. Stir together vinegar, water, and salt in a small nonreactive pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir and reduce heat, if necessary, until salt dissolves. Remove from heat. Pour or ladle hot brine into jars, covering cucumbers and leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Tap jars gently to remove any air bubbles. Add more brine if necessary to leave 1/2 inch headspace. Wipe rims clean with a damp paper towel.
3. Let cool completely to room temperature, about 1 hour. Apply clean lids. Refrigerate at least 48 hours before eating for best flavor. (Flavor improves with time.) Store in refrigerator up to 1 month.