Cravings

The pedestrian pickle is getting an upgrade from artisanal producers. Moonbrine's Super Dill! pickles are brined in small batches for two weeks ($6 for 32 oz; moonbrine.com). Wheelhouse's Sour Barrel Cucumbers soak in an 11-ingredient mix, including the Indian spice ajowan ($6 for 25 oz; wheelhousepickles.com). Alexander Valley Gourmet's Outrageous Bread & Butter pickles are Sonoma's newest boutique food ($6 for 24 oz; sonomachef.com).

Published September 2006