Step 1: Buy fresh ingredients: pickling cucumbers, garlic and dill.


Step 2: Sterilize an old jar (pickle, spaghetti sauce, as long as it has a lid) by boiling it in water for at least five minutes.


Step 3: Slice cucumbers into pickle-spear shape.


Step 4: Boil equal parts white wine vinegar and water with a dash of kosher or sea (not iodized) salt.


Step 5: Add cucumbers, a few cloves of chopped garlic, and chopped dill to jar (plus mustard seeds, black pepper, or a jalapeno pepper).


Step 6: Pour brine into jar. Seal, cool, and refrigerate.


Step 7: Wait at least 24 hours (longer is better) before noshing.