Illustrator Claudia Pearson

You can't go wrong with an illustration by the charming Claudia Pearson. I first came across her work last year on a postcard handed out at the Brooklyn Flea, and had the pleasure of chatting with her in person

at this weekend's market in Fort Greene (my friend Zovig ended up buying one of these). I especially like her "Buy Local" tea towel--it even includes a nod to my favorite Brooklyn pickles, Rick's Picks. Deeeeelish.

Noticing: This Whole Brooklyn Pickle Craze-thing

So lately, pickles have really been creeping up on me (which sounds kind of dirty, but let's just go with it). They seem to be surrounding me everywhere I've been poking around (still dirty?)--nearby green markets, quirky organic stores, neighborhood street fairs. I even found a few down in DUMBO over the past weekend. Here are three that caught my eye (yes, yes, and even my stomach--especially when free samples are involved).

McClure's Pickles. Their garlic dill pickles were my fave--like crunchy, pickley sunshine in your mouth.

Horman's Best Pickles. This is the one group I didn't get to try...I think I was a bit intimidated by the fact that the different pickle varieties were in huge open buckets (why am I afraid of big buckets? That is for another blog post, friends). This is the honey mustard bucket. Looks dangerous. And a little bit delish.

Rick's Picks. Fireworks-in-your-mouth good. They even have a pickle blog and were just featured on Martha Stewart's show this week. Go! Brooklyn! Pickles!