From Mesopotamian markets to WWII trenches, pickles have been a survival food for over 4000 years. The practice began as early as 2400 BC in Mesopotamia as a simple way to preserve vegetables for lean times. Cucumbers from India reached the Tigris valley around 2030 BC and quickly became a favorite for preservation. Used by travelers and soldiers alike, pickles provided dependable sustenance on long journeys, serving armies and sailors from Julius Caesar to American troops in World War II. Today