The Best Way to Keep Pickles From Slipping Off Your Sandwiches
Good semi-sour dill is the answer to many life questions, not to mention dishes that require something special. Usually sandwiches. Pickles come in a variety of shapes—whole, hot, chips, and flat—so you can find the one that suits your dish best. And while there is no wrong way to enjoy pickles, there is a better way to optimize your pickles to ensure the best sandwich experience. You need to shave it.
Yes, there are sandwich-sliced pickles, cut lengthwise so that the pickle lays flat on a piece of bread. While this works, sliced pickles work even better . But that’s not even why I started shaving pickles. I did this because this time I just wanted some pickles.
I was making myself an egg salad sandwich and thought some pickles would be nice. I only buy whole pickles because then I can reshape them as needed. I tried using a knife to cut the slices as thin as possible, since I already predicted that the slippery minions might slip out of my sandwich. Frustrated that I couldn’t get results that were subtle enough, I reached for my vegetable peeler.
The resulting pickled cucumber shavings were perfect—thin, tender, and ribbon-like. I only wanted the pickle flavor in my sandwich, so I was able to use just a few slices of cucumber, which is not easy to do with pre-sliced ones. The ribbons provided good coverage so each bite stayed a little salty and they didn’t slip out while I was eating.
How to cut pickles so that their slices are thin
For maximum effect, grasp one end of the cucumber while pressing the other against the cutting board, then run the peeler along its length with your other hand. Repeat for as many slices as you like and return the remainder to the brine. For this task I prefer a speed knife or a Y knife because I find the angle is better.
Benefits of sliced pickles
The real benefit of shaving pickles is their flexibility. Pickle lovers can put an obscene amount of pickles on their sandwiches and burgers, and the slim shape can be twisted, folded, and manipulated to fit securely without sliding off the edge. (I put the shavings on two pickles on a sandwich that would normally only fit one.) For people who don’t really like pickles, shavings are a great way to add a little flavor—you can add just two or three strips to a burger, but in There will still be a little pickle in every bite. Moreover, this shape is really beneficial for those who cannot bite into thick and crunchy foods easily.
And yes, you lose crunch if you shave the pickles, and the thin shape isn’t the best choice for every dish. But this is a great form of pickles to be aware of, especially if you’ve always wanted to get two or three times the recommended amount of pickles to make sure they sit securely on your sandwich.