Some years ago, my friend Joyce gave me a jar of what she called Crystal. (I call it that now too). I didn’t know what it was and put it on the shelf. Some time later, when rummaging around for a snack, we opened this jar of heaven. Now I use this recipe to make Crystal.
Start with some fresh cucumbers.
Ingredients
- 7 Pounds Cucumbers, Sliced Lengthwise.
- 2 Cups Household (pickling) Lime
- 2 Gallons Water
- 2 Quarts White Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Pickling Spice
- 1 Tablespoon Whole Cloves
- 3 1/2 Pounds Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Salt
- 8-10 Canning Jars of your liking (I like 1/2 pint). You’ll need more of those and less of the Pint Jars
- New Lids and secure fitting Rings
Directions
- Day 1
- Slice Cucumbers lengthwise to about jar size
- Mix the lime and water and soak the sliced cucumbers for 24 hours.
- Day 2
- Rinse and rinse and rinse until all lime is off.
- Soak in plain water for about 3 hours and allow to drain.
- Stir together the White Vinegar, pickling spice, celery seed,
whole cloves sugar and salt . Pour over drained cucumbers
and allow to stand overnight.
- Day 3
- Boil the cucumber in the mixture for about 35 minutes or until TRANSPARENT.
- Pack into sterile canning Jars, wipe rim carefully with a wet
cloth, tighten lids and process water bath for 10 minutes. - Remove jars and allow to cool.
Water bath is placing jars in a heavy pot or canner and
then adding enough hot boiling water to just cover.
Finished product - 1/2 pint jars of Crystal Pickles
If any jars fail to seal, just refrigerate.
-Gretchen
