Why are my pickles hollow?

[DanM]

I decided to check on the pickles that I have fermenting away in the closet for the past 10 days. I cut one open and found it hollow! I thought this might be a fluke, so I tried another and same thing. I would assume that this might have to do with the fact that the brine is drawing fluid out of the pickle, but will this eventually correct itself?

Thanks,

Dan

[mkayahara]

In my experience, it probably won't correct itself. I've had this happen to several batches of pickles in the past and, according to my copy of Putting Food By, it comes from the cucumbers sitting around for too long at room temperature before being immersed in the brine. The good news is that you can still eat them, they're just not as nice aesthetically. And be careful biting into them, unless you want to spray your family and friends with pickle brine!

[Peter the eater]

I made a batch of hollow pickles two years ago, by accident. They were fully delicious and the cuke vendor suggested they were harvested a few days too late. Whatever. Slicing them first would give you a heads up.

[helenjp]

Either of those explanations sound good to me! You can see over-ripe/dehydrated cucumbers pulling apart into their original "segments". The texture might not be as crispy, but they are not spoiled.

[westxchef]

They are ready for stuffing with sour cream and bacon.

[DanM]

Oh well. It went from farm stand to crock in less than 6 hours. Stuffing them may be an option.

Dan

[heidih]

I don't think it is anything you did. I have pickling cukes in my garden and have harvested several that were "hollow"; just a growing condition.