My Favorite Sweet Pickles

The bins full of pickling cucumbers are starting to show up at the farmer's market. I made my first  batch  of the season this morning of my favorite sweet pickles, also known as bread and butter pickles. You can't buy  the homemade taste of pickles and the recipe is simple. Enjoy!

Bread  and Butter Pickles

makes about 3 pints

8 cups of sliced pickling cucumbers
1/2 cup of salt

4 cups vinegar
2 cups brown sugar( I have used white sugar)
1 tablespoon pickling spice
2 inch stick cinnamon
6 whole cloves
1 teaspoon mustard seed
pinch turmeric

Note:  If you can't find pickling spice you can make your own. Recipe follows the pickles

Place cucumbers in a large bowl or plastic container. Sprinkle with the salt and cover with cold water. Let stand overnight in the refrigerator.

Drain cucumbers and rinse with cold water.

Combine everything else in a heavy pan. Bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
Add drained cucumbers. Bring back to boil and cook another 5 minutes.
Pack into clean jars carefully and let cool.
Store in the refrigerator.

Pickling Spice

makes about 2 1/2 cups

1/2 cup mustard seeds
1/4 cup ground coriander
1/4 cup fennel seed
1/4 cup whole cloves
1/4 cup celery seeds
1/4 cup cinnamon sticks, crushed
1/4 cup black pepper corns
2 tbsp. dried ginger, coarsely chopped
6 dry bay leaves, crushed

Combine all. Store in a cool dry place for up to a year.
I make a fresh batch every year when I start pickling again.