Dill Basics

• Dill is one of the most common flavorings for cucumber pickles. At the height of the summer when cucumbers are ripening, so are the green-seeded dill flowers that are primarily used to create the dill flavors in pickles. Ideally, fresh dill heads are used when making dill pickles, as these impart the strongest and freshest dill flavor. For both fresh and fermented pickles, the entire heads are placed in the pickling crock or jars and macerate in the pickling brine over an extended period of time to extract the most flavor.

Dried Dill Substitutions

• When dill is out of season, it can be nearly impossible to source fresh dill. This is where dried dill comes into play. The flavor of the pickles is slightly different when using dried dill; however, they still do have a distinct dill flavor. Dried dill weed and dill seeds are widely available and are both common substitutions for fresh dill heads. When using either of these, substitute one tablespoon of the dried herb for each dill head called for in your recipe.

Dill Head Shelf Storage

• Drying dill heads is not recommended; however, there is a way to preserve them for pickling later in the season. Place fresh dill heads in a clean jar and cover them with 5 percent strength white or cider vinegar until you are ready to use them. Cover the jar with a tight-fitting lid and place the jar in a dark, cool location until you are ready to use the dill heads. Use the dill-flavored vinegar in your fresh-pack dill pickle recipe as well to add even more dill flavor to your pickles.

Dill Head Freezing

• Fresh dill heads can also be frozen for later use in pickle making. This is the easiest way to store dill and allows you to still use fresh dill in your pickles when the plant is not flowering. To freeze dill heads, cut off the heads and wash as needed to remove dirt. Shake off any remaining water and allow the heads to air-dry for about an hour. Place the heads in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible from the bag before sealing. Remove the heads and use in your pickling recipes as needed.