What’s in a name? Why are these tangy, briny sliced cucumbers called Bread & Butter Pickles?
One theory says the name came from sliced pickled cucumbers layered between two slices of buttered bread, a Depression-era staple, due to the low cost and high availability of the ingredients. Others believe it came about when an Illinois family (who later filed for a trademark for their bread & butter pickles) worked out an agreement with a local grocer, who gave groceries—including bread and butter—in exchange for the family’s pickles. Not so clear, but either way, soft buttered bread and sharp, crunchy pickles make a perfect pair.