Melis Cornichons are small pickled gherkins packed in a 680 g glass jar with an orange lid; the jar is moulded with the Melis name and holds 72 cl. The label states that the product contains no preservatives, and a strip of red pepper can be seen at the bottom of the jar. Cornichons are picked young, so they stay firm and crisp, with the tangy character typical of Mediterranean pickles.
In Turkey, pickles (turşu) are an everyday companion to the meal. Serve these small gherkins on a meze plate with white cheese and olives, tuck them into a döner, kebab or sausage sandwich, or slice them into a potato salad or a tartar-style sauce. They are equally good on a cheese and charcuterie board, in a burger, or simply eaten from the jar as a crunchy snack alongside rice dishes and stews.
Store the unopened jar in a cool place away from sunlight. After opening, keep it in the refrigerator with the gherkins covered by the pickling liquid, use a clean fork to lift them out and check the label for the date mark and full ingredient information.