How do I get my hands (and mouth) on these delicious, new deep-fried pickles?

How do you make a dill pickle better?

Deep fry it, of course.

That's what the fast-food chain Arby's is doing -- calling the creation 'frickles' -- a mash-up of 'fried' and 'pickles.'

"We're not just in the business of serving food, but rather delivering an innovative concept in the fast-food industry, providing guests with a unique experience that's something different, something better," says Vito Curalli, field marketing manager for Arby's Canada.

Arby's specializes in roast-beef sandwiches and burgers, but has introduced 'frickles' for a limited time only as part of its fall menu because "every sandwich deserves a crispy companion."

'Frickles' are now available at all participating Arby's locations in Canada, including 2070 Harvey Ave. in Kelowna, 3031 Louie Drive in West Kelowna and 1785 Trans Canada Highway East in Kamloops.

It's offered as a side dish priced at $4 for four pieces, each piece consisting of a crunchy dill pickle wedge coated in tangy dill breading and deep fried to golden, crispy perfection.

Arby's recommends you dip your 'frickles' in its zesty ranch sauce.

'Frickles' are part of Arby's fall, limited-time menu that also includes a roasted garlic, roast-beef sandwich, bacon ranch wagyu blend burger, raspberry milkshake and two large cookies -- white chocolate macadamia nut and turgle double chocolate.

The most common deep fried foods are French fries, fish, chicken, onion rings and donuts.

After all, the batter and the cooking method -- completely plunging foods in searing lard or oil -- adds comforting and delicious calories, crunch, taste and texture.

No wonder it's a staple of fall fairs, fast food and street food, home cooks, casual restaurants and even fine dining.

Deep-fried pickles burst onto the culinary scene in 1962 when the Oakland Tribune ran a recipe for French-fried pickles.

Bernell 'Fatman' Austin is believed to have popularized the trend in 1963 when he introduced deep-fried pickles at the Duchess Drive-In in Atkins, Arkansas.

Over the past six decades, deep-fried pickles have been a favourite in the southern US.

Ironically, the 'frickles' launch by Arby's is for Canadian locations only.

Arby's in the US does not have 'frickles' and never has.

'Frickles' are part of the phenomena that proves you can deep fry damn near anything to make it taste better.

Cover vegetables in batter and submerge it in hot fat to cook and you have magical brussel sprouts, zucchini, cauliflower or broccoli.

Go ahead, deep fry a whole baked potato, chicken or turkey.

Batter and deep fry a Mars chocolate bar, Cadbury Cream Eggs, chocolate chip cookie dough, pretzels, pizza, gummy bears, jelly beans, guacamole, bacon, cheese sticks and-or ice cream.

And, the most fat-laden, gooey and taste bud-busting -- battered and deep-fried chunks of butter.

That's right, fat on fat on fat.