[1] Spicy bites for snacks or garnishes (photo by Katharine Pollak | © THE NIBBLE).

[2] A juicy turkey burger (photo © Diestel Turkey Ranch).

Does hot weather beg for hot pickles?

Rick’s Picks, our favorite pickle-maker (read the review), has launched Hotties, crinkle-cut spicy pickle chips spiced with Thai sriracha sauce and habanero.

Sriracha sauce is a dipping sauce made of hot red chiles, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. It is named after the coastal city of Si Racha on the Sea of Thailand, where it was first produced and served at seafood restaurants.

Use Hotties hot pickle chips anywhere you’d use pickle chips. Add a bit of heat to burgers, sandwiches, eggs, and snacks with these little missiles of mild/moderate heat. Toss them into green salads for a surprise. Garnish deviled eggs.

Hotties are healthy, too: They’re low in sodium (105mg/ounce), low in calories (12 calories/ounce), and gluten-free; there is a small amount of sugar. Pickles by nature have no fat or cholesterol.

A 24-ounce jar is $7.99 at fine retailers and at RicksPicksNYC.com.

Rick’s suggests that you try them with this low-fat turkey burger (feel free to substitute beef or plant-based protein):
 
 
SPICED UMAMI TURKEY BURGER RECIPE

Ingredients

1. TOAST cumin and coriander seeds (you can combine them in the pan).

2. MIX gently all ingredients up to egg white. Don’t overwork the meat. Form 4-6 burgers, depending on how large you like them. Coat with olive oil.

3. PLACE a grill pan on the stove and turn the stove on to med-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add burger patties.

4. COOK 4 minutes per side and cover with foil as you cook.

5. OPTIONAL: TOAST buns while burgers are cooking on their second side.

6. ASSEMBLE the burgers with Hotties and optional lettuce, tomato, and onion slices.

Serve with some of our Top Pick Of The Week spicy ketchup.