I needed some gardeneira the other day for a secret family recipe. For some reason, it's hard to find. I know Marzetti's makes one, but it's never in the stores I visit.
When it comes to pickles, I've only used Ruhlman's tossing veggies in 3-5% brine and letting them sit in a cool place for a week or more. I don't like them. Not sure why, it's never been a good pickle for me. So, from a few comments (@twixlen) and @SmittenKitchen, I found a general method that makes pickles I like and it's effortless. Briefly boil vinegar and water (500 mL/500 mL) containing 2T salt and 2T sugar and a bunch of spices (coriander seed, mustard seed, herbs, dill, celery salt, etc.) and pour it over vegetables. For tougher veggies, cauliflower and carrots, I simmer them in the solution a few minutes, but for sliced cucumbers, I don't. Place the cut veggies in a container, pour the hot mixture over them and toss in the fridge. No need to sink the veggies below the surface, just good pickles in less than a day.
Cucumbers and zucchini.
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