Today's foray into domesticity (if that is even a word, but I like the way it sounds, so I'm going to say that it is!) was Bread and Butter Pickles. Again, I have help Mom and probably grandma make these many time, years ago, but this was the first time I've attempted it on my own. I searched the internet for a recipe and found many. Most of which had the basics that I remembered and some had things in them that I knew were never in the ones Mom made. So, I pulled together the basics from a few recipes and came up with one of my own. (See end of post for recipe.)
Sliced cucumber and onion sitting for 3 hours with salt and ice.
Seasonings used, with sugar and vinegar to create the brine.
Bread and Butter Pickle Brine.
Cucumber and onion cooking in brine.
Finished product . . . 4 quarts of Bread and Butter Pickles.
Bread and Butter Pickles
4 quarts cucumbers
6 medium onions
2 peppers (optional)
1/3 cup pickling salt
ice
Slice and layer in container with salt and ice in each layer.
Let sit for 3 hours.
4 cups sugar
3 cups vinegar
1 1/2 tsp tumeric
1 1/2 tsp celery seed
2 tbsp mustard seed
Mix together in a large pot and heat to boiling.
Drain cucumbers and remove ice but DO NOT rinse.
Add to brine and bring to boil.
Cook for 5 minutes.
Ladle into hot jars. Put on lids.
Process in boiling water for 15 minutes.
