Pickles are NOT just cucumbers. Just ask Shamus Jones, owner and "executive briner" of Brooklyn Brine, a small-batch artisanal pickle company. He pickles farm-fresh asparagus, carrots, squash, ramps, mushrooms, beets...and yes, some cucumbers...

Brooklyn Brine recently got a visit from the FoodCrafters crew, and while Shamus keeps his exact brine recipes covert, he was happy to walk through his pickling process with Aida Mollenkamp. Catch the episode tonight at 10:30pm/9:30c: Together they make (and taste) Brooklyn Brine's awesome lavender asparagus pickles.

For an inside look, check out our photo gallery of FoodCrafters at Brooklyn Brine. I recently had the chance to chat with Shamus myself, and his passion for pickling is truly infectious. After hearing some of his seemingly infinite pickling wisdom, I'm ready to sterilize some jars and try it for myself.

If you too find yourself inspired to pickle after watching FoodCrafters tonight, read our Pickling Primer first. With Shamus's tips, even complete novices can achieve perfect pickles. And by that, we do NOT mean just cucumbers.

Watch FoodCrafters tonight at 10:30pm/9:30c to meet my new friend Shamus, plus three other passionate and talented artisans from around the country.

To order pickles from Brooklyn Brine, visit BrooklynBrine.com.