Quick pickled tomatoes

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   Gather all the ingredients for the quick pickled tomatoes. Use tomatoes that aren't too big, so they have time to pickle within a day, and firm, so they don't fall apart in your hand once they're done. I used dried hot pepper in small pieces, but you can also use fresh chili—just seed it and cut it into pieces.

2. Step 2:

   

   First, make the brine for the tomatoes. Pour the water into a pot and set it on the stove. It's best to use filtered water rather than straight from the tap. Add the sugar, salt, and the black and allspice peppercorns. Lately, instead of regular allspice, I prefer Sichuan pepper—it has a more delicate aroma and flavor, though it's pricier than allspice.

3. Step 3:

   

   Bring the brine to a boil and simmer it over low heat for 2–3 minutes, until the salt and sugar dissolve. Take it off the heat, pour in the vinegar, and stir. You can replace the regular vinegar with apple cider or wine vinegar.

4. Step 4:

   

   While the brine cooks, prepare the tomatoes. Peel the garlic and cut it into as many slices as you have tomatoes. Wash the tomatoes and cut them from the stem end about two-thirds of the way down. Slip a slice of garlic into each cut.

5. Step 5:

   

   Then put a little hot pepper inside, or tuck in a piece of fresh chili.

6. Step 6:

   

   Wash the celery, pull it apart into leaves, and slip one into each cut. It's easiest to do this with the blunt side of a knife, just pressing the leaf inside. You can replace the celery with basil or regular dill.

7. Step 7:

   

   Do this with all the tomatoes and put them in a deep bowl.

8. Step 8:

   

   Pour the hot brine over the prepared tomatoes and set a plate on top to push them fully under and keep them from floating. Leave them until they cool, then refrigerate them for one day, until they're ready. Keep in mind that the larger the tomatoes, the longer they need to pickle. Then take them out of the refrigerator, lift them from the brine with a spoon, and serve.

9. Step 9:

   

   They're delicious with hot boiled potatoes and dark rye bread. And with a little shot to whet the appetite, it's pure heaven. Enjoy your meal.