Question: are gherkins and cornichons the same thing?
Answer: A.: Cornichons are dilled gherkins, not sweet gherkins. If a recipe calls for cornichons, it is referring to the dilled variety of gherkins. If a recipe calls for cornichons and you don't have any, substitute small slivers of dill pickles. Remember, all cornichons are gherkins, not all gherkins are cornichons.