Colin’s Culinary Corner

by Colin Eads

I’m excited to join the Gardens as its new landscape technician. I come from a gardening family with lots of farming friends, so gardening is natural for me. Canning and preserving go hand-in-hand with gardening. Working in the gardens this year has given me the chance to grow a new variety of cucumbers called ‘Salt & Pepper,’ as well as the garlic and onions I also use in my pickles. The recipe I use is one passed through my family for years. It is very simple and unique, because we seal our jars using the “cold pack” method.

SALT and PEPPER CUCUMBERS

1–2 POUNDS small to medium pickling cucumbers 1–2 CLOVES garlic, peeled and smashed, per jar 1–2 SPRIGS of dill (per jar) 1 SMALL to MEDIUM sweet onion, cut into pieces 1 TSP dill seed per jar 1 CUP apple cider vinegar 1 CUP water Pint jars, lids, and rings

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, deep enough to submerge your jars, lids, and rings. This will heat and sterilize them. Next, wash and de-stem your cucumbers. Place garlic, dill, and dill seed into each clean jar, then pack tightly with your cucumbers and onions. In a separate pot, bring water and vinegar to a boil. Pour boiling liquid over cucumbers in a packed jar. Tighten a lid and ring on each jar. Place upside down on a kitchen towel to cool and seal. Ta-da! These simple dill pickles will keep up to two years, if stored correctly.

Thanks for helping us grow

Reynolda extends a warm welcome to our newest Friends of Reynolda Gardens! (since July 1, 2020)

INDIVIDUAL Nanny Foster Julia Hood Cheryl McLean Susan Moore Susan Piribek Roddy Roberts Mary Gail Scanlon Michelle Steene Suzanne Thompson Aldona Towner Kim Watkins

DUAL/FAMILY Suzanne and John Carlson Ashley and J.K. Givens Frances and Bert Gordon Susan and Charles Hauser Laura and Jonathan Hoffman Kristin and Dixon Kinser Tiffany Mazzeo Kathy and Dennis McNeil Eileen and Charles New Cindy and Chris Sheaffer Beth Warren Mary Lynn and John Wigodsky Pamela and Neil Wolfman

PATRON Mary Baldwin Judith Hanes Vicki and Niek Lagerwey Mary and Michael McCandless Lindsey and Paul Miller

BENEFACTOR Alison and Jeff Gardner Michelle and Alex Schenker

To become a Friend of Reynolda Gardens and learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit reynoldagardens.org/support.

Questions about your membership? Please contact Sarah Blackwell at 336.758.5889 or by email at sarah@reynolda.org.