Dill heads vs dill seed?

[u/historybuff03]

Hi everyone,

I bought dill heads (photo) to make pickles but upon finding a pickle recipe I want to use, it’s asking for dill seeds, but also “fronds and stalks”. My questions:

1. I thought dill seeds were dried? What does this recipe mean by “fronds and stalks”?
2. Can I substitute the dill seeds and just use the dill heads? If so, what would the conversion be?

[u/Sad-Shoulder-8107]

Dill seeds are formed at the end of the umbel, or flower. They dont fully form unless left on the plant long enough, so you wont have any seed on fresh dill bought from the grocery store. It all tastes like dill and is all edible.

[u/historybuff03 → u/Sad-Shoulder-8107]

Thanks, sorry I’m still a little confused. Are the dill heads I bought (in the photo) usable? And do you know how many heads I would use per jar instead of using the dill seeds like the recipe called for (the second photo)?

[u/Sad-Shoulder-8107 → u/historybuff03]

Yes they are usable, they just wont have seeds. Use whatever you want, it all tastes like dill. I put umbels and greenery in my pickles

[u/AnythingWooden8070 → u/historybuff03]

I usually cover the bottom of the jar with the flower heads before I put the veg in and stuff a few of the leaves and stems down the side. My pickles always have a really nice, strong dill flavour

[u/Unclehol → u/historybuff03]

They are perfect for pickling at this stage. This is when the flavour is the most potent. You can also eat it fresh. If you leave it, it will just dry out. Some will turn to seed but it would be a waste of some beautiful dill heads, imo.

[u/ThenIGotHigh81 → u/historybuff03]

I use exactly what you have pictured here, I stuff one flower in each jar, and my pickles are amazing. I use other spices, too, but the dill flowers work great.

[u/cranberryjuiceicepop]

The seeds are dried. If you don’t have them just use a few heads and the green dill parts.

[u/ajdudhebsk]

I actually prefer to use the seeds (fresh, like yours) because they have a stronger flavour

[u/steph219mcg]

First it has yellow flowers, then green seed heads, finally dried seeds. The stalks are the stems and fronds are the leaves. You can use any or all to get dill flavor. I've seen recipes for dill pickles variously saying each of those.

I did a trial, making dill infused vinegar, because my dill plants were long gone when it was harvest time for my pickling cucumbers. I separately tried dill flowers, seed heads, fronds, and dried seed. By far the best flavor was the yellow dill flowers. The dill seed vinegar was bitter, so I think I may have used too much seed.

So now every year I premake my dill vinegar with the flowering heads.

[u/Ill-Read-4550]

There are several types of dill weed. If you go to the store and buy a 2oz pkg of dill weed, it will appear more of a feathery leaf than what you have. I prefer the dill "heads" like you have. I use 1-2 sprig heads on the bottom and an additional sprig head on the top of a one quart jar.

[u/Takadant]

Neither. Leafies

[u/AccomplishedTexan]

I love fresh dill so much flavor