Go Back Email Link

Sweet Gerkins Pickles

Course Snack

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Salt
  • 2 quarts Water
  • 6 pints Cucumbers
  • 1 tbsp Alum
  • 1 1/2 tbsp Mixed Picking Spices
  • 5 Cups Sugar
  • 5 Cups Vinegar

Instructions
 

  •  Put cucumbers in enamel or stainless steel container. 
  • Add salt to water and bring to boiling.  Pour over cucumbers.
  • Cover with plate. Let stand for 1 week (scum will form, remove this daily). 
  •   Drain, discarding brine. Rinse cucumbers thoroughly. 
  • Cover with boiling water, let stand 24 hours. 
  • Drain.  Tie spices in cheesecloth bag.
  • Add to sugar and vinegar in a large pot.  Bring to boil. 
  • Pour over cucumbers, cover and let stand 24 hours again. Drain syrup in a pot and bring back to a boil, pour over cucumbers again.  Repeat this process every day for 4 days. 
  • Pack pickles in hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Remove spice bag.  Heat syrup to boiling and pour boiling water over pickles leaving 1/2 inch head space. Process pints in 15 minute boiling water bath.