A gherkin is a small cucumber, harvested at 2 to 4 inches long before it fully matures, then pickled in a brine or vinegar solution. The immature cucumber's firm, crisp flesh holds up well to pickling, giving gherkins their signature crunch and tangy, sour flavor. They are most often used as a condiment or garnish, cutting through the richness of burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards, and are a key ingredient in relish and many pickle recipes. Gherkins are especially common in Eastern European and German cooking, where they accompany meat dishes, stews, and smoked fish, and appear in dishes like German currywurst and Polish mizeria salad. Gherkins are sometimes confused with cornichons, but cornichons are a smaller, more elongated French pickle typically flavored with herbs like tarragon.