Za'atar Pickles

These are half-sour pickles spiced with harissa and all the traditional components of Turkish za'atar. The toasted cardamom adds a citrusy finish to these very bold pickles. After 10 days, they will continue to improve with age.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Calories: 30 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• ¼ cup salt
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 2 cloves garlic, minced, or more to taste
• 1 tablespoon sumac powder
• 3 sprigs chopped fresh thyme
• 2 teaspoons harissa
• 2 quarts water, at room temperature
• 3 sprigs chopped fresh oregano
• 1 cumin seed
• 16 small pickling cucumbers, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Pour water into a 1-gallon glass jar with a lid and dissolve salt. Add garlic followed by thyme, oregano, and harissa.

Step 2

Heat coriander, sesame seeds, and cumin seed in a dry pan over medium-low heat, stirring to avoid burning, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add toasted spices to the salt mixture along with sumac. Cover tightly with a lid and shake to combine.

Step 3

Place as many cucumbers as will fit into the jar while remaining submerged in the brine. Keep sealed in the refrigerator for 10 days to pickle.