Michigan
State University Extension
Preserving
Food Safely - 01600567
10/13/97
To "desalt" pickles, cover cucumbers with hot water (at
least three times as much water as cucumbers). Let stand
about four hours, ideally in the refrigerator. Stir
occasionally. Lift cucumbers out of the water; pour out the
water; rinse the container.
Repeat two more times.
Prick cucumbers a number of times in several places to
prevent shriveling. Use a silver or stainless steel fork.
Let stand in a weak vinegar solution (1 part water to 3
parts cider vinegar for 12 hours.
If not enough salt has been removed (taste test), let
pickles stand 12 hours longer.
Place the desalted cucumbers in fresh pickling solution
(without salt) and store in the refrigerator. Note, while
a fair amount of salt will be removed during desalting, all
the salt will not be removed.