Yes, according to the provided information, pickles are safe to eat.
Hollow cucumbers, which might be used to make pickles, are not identified as unsafe. The reference specifically mentions that these cucumbers can be easily picked out and suggests they are suitable for certain types of pickles.
Understanding Hollow Cucumbers and Pickles
Hollow centers can sometimes occur in cucumbers, but this characteristic does not inherently make the resulting pickle unsafe. The safety of a pickle primarily depends on the proper preservation process, such as fermentation or pickling in a safe brine solution.
Here's what the reference indicates about hollow cucumbers:
- Identification: Since hollow cucumbers usually float, they can be easily identified and separated during the washing process before pickling begins.
- Usage: Hollow cucumbers can still be used for specific pickle types. The reference suggests using them for relishes or chunk pickles. This implies they are not discarded due to safety concerns but perhaps because their texture is less ideal for whole or spear pickles.
Safety Confirmation
The key takeaway directly from the provided text is the explicit statement confirming safety:
"Pickles are safe to eat."
This general statement about the safety of pickles, in the context of discussing hollow cucumbers and their use, reinforces that the characteristic of hollowness in the original cucumber does not render the final pickle product unsafe for consumption.
Therefore, you can enjoy pickles, even those potentially made from cucumbers that had a hollow center, provided they have been processed correctly.
