Sesame-Lemon Pickled Cucumbers

With a simple cold brine of water, vinegar, sugar, and salt, this pickle recipe is open to so many additional layers of flavor. Here, that’s thin slices of fresh lemon, some green chile, and sesame seeds (black or white). The cold brine keeps the cuke slices extra-crunchy. It’s also our go-to method for pickling thinly sliced fennel, cauliflower florets, quartered radishes, or thinly sliced celery.