Sweet and Crunchy Pickles




My mother in law  would make the most fabulous sweet pickles. Every summer my father in law would plant cucumbers and mom would make crunchy sweet pickles.































Here is the information she has given me on making pickles and this is how I make my pickles



Choose pickles that are grown for pickling

Pickling cucumbers are not smooth green like salad cukes they have a prickly skin

Sweet Pickles are best when sliced into rounds and not spears

Do not peel cukes just wash thoroughly and slice by hand about 1/8" thick

Soak cucumbers in a large plastic food grade container with pickling lime mixture
I use Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime

mix 1 cup of lime to 2 gallons of cold water in the plastic container and add cucumbers

let cucumbers soak in mixture for 2 hours or overnight

Next remove cucumbers from lime water and discard lime water

Rinse cucumbers in fresh cold water 3 times

Soak cucumbers in fresh ice water for 3 hours

Mix the following items together in a non reactive pan ( I use my enamel canning pot that I purchased from Amazon)





8 cups white vinegar
8 cups sugar
1/2 jar pickling spice (McCormick brand is best)

Bring to a boil and add cucumbers (be sure to drain off all water) to vinegar mixture

Bring back to a boil and turn off heat
Let sit in vinegar mixture for 5 to 6 hours or can be left overnight

Pack pickles in sterilized jars and process in boiling water bath for 10 to 15 minutes

Pickles are ready to eat or can be stored for 2 years or longer. Be sure lids sealed by removing ring and checking each seal -- dry the jar around the seal and replace the ring

I have tried several bread and butter pickle recipes but I love the crunch of this sweet pickle.

 These pickles are great chopped and added to potato salad or tuna salad.  R likes these pickles on hamburgers and sandwiches.  Alone as a side dish or added to a salad or sandwich this is one sweet eat.  I hope you will try this pickle recipe and let me know how you like it.

11 comments:

  1. Oh what sweet family memories you've brought back for me. Both my husband's grandma and mine made pickles as well. I never learned how but this recipe definitely sounds great and perfect timing for this patriotic holiday week. I'll pass it on on facebook and Pinterest :) Have a grand time at the Grand Social.

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  2. What sweet memories and sweet pickles! Having fun at the Grand Social today!

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  3. These look delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe :)

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  4. Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you make it a habit! :) This recipe looks really great! Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to tell the wife. mmmm I LUVS ME SOME PICKLES! :) hAVE A fun & Safe Holiday weekend.

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  5. Oh my I could at an entire jar of these, yum. I saw you on the Great Blog Train. Going to follow on Pinterest.

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  6. I love pickles and I love your tips!

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  7. Looks delicious. I'm having a bumper crop of cucumbers this year so I'll have a chance to try these. Happy 4th! ~Pamela

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  8. Hi Shirl,
    I grew up making pickles with my mom as a little girl so I was delighted to find your recipe for sweet and crunchy pickles. Thank you so much for sharing this healthy and delicious recipe on the Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Blog Hop! I appreciate it!

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  9. We love pickles around are house and the cucumbers are piling in. Thanks for sharing with the Tips and Tricks Link party.

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  10. Can you use apple cider vinegar instead?

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    1. Yes that works and some people prefer the pickles with the apple cider vinegar. I have made them with it but I mostly use white vinegar because of the cost. White vinegar is so much cheaper and if canning in volume the apple cider vinegar can be expensive

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