The 1901 Cookbook Archive
No. 3974 — Warning about Commercial Cucumbers
English historical translation of Molokhovets recipe No. 3974 from the 1901 Russian cookbook, retaining original methods and measures.
The author warns that unusually bright green purchased pickles may have been prepared in unlined copper vessels, which can be harmful to health.
A period test proposed inserting a clean steel needle into a cucumber, supposedly causing it to develop a copper colour if copper contamination were present.
Historical editorial note: Unlined copper can contaminate acidic food. The proposed steel-needle colour test is not reliable; laboratory analysis is needed to establish contamination.
Original source: Read Russian recipe No. 3974. Historical quantities and terminology are retained. See the measurements guide. Period preparation and storage methods are not modern safety guidance.