* Exported from MasterCook * Sweet Gherkin Pickles Recipe By : USDA Agriculture Information Bulletin #539, 1994 Serving Size : 7 Preparation Time :0:00 Categories : Pickles Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 7 lb Cucumbers (1-1/2" or less) 1/2 c Canning or pickling salt 8 c Sugar 6 c Vinegar (5%) 3/4 ts Turmeric 2 ts Celery seeds 2 ts Whole mixed pickling spice 2 Cinnamon sticks 1/2 ts Fennel (optional) 2 ts Vanilla (optional) Wash cucumbers. Cut 1/16" slice off blossom end and discard, but leave 1/4" of stem attached. Place cucumbers in large container and cover with boiling water. Six to 8 hours later, and on the 2nd day, drain and cover with 6 qt fresh boiling water containing 1/4-cup salt. On the 3rd day, drain and prick cucumbers with a table fork. Combine and bring to boil 3 cups vinegar, 3 cups sugar, turmeric, and spices. Pour over cucumbers. Six to 8 hours later, drain and save the pickling syrup. Add another 2 cups each of sugar and vinegar and reheat to boil. Pour over pickles. On the 4th day, drain and save syrup. Add another 2 cups sugar and 1 cup vinegar. Heat to boiling and pour over pickles. Drain and save pickling syrup 6 to 8 hours later. Add 1 cup sugar and 2 ts vanilla and heat to boiling. Fill sterile pint jars, with pickles and cover with hot syrup, leaving 1/2" headspace. For more information on sterilizing jars see "Jars and Lids". Adjust lids and process according to the recommendations in Table 1, or use the low-temperature pasteurization treatment. For more information see "Low-Temperature Pasteurization Treatment". Table 1. Recommended process time for Sweet Gherkin Pickles in a boiling-water canner. Style of pack: Raw Jar size: Pints Process time at altitudes of: 0 - 1,000 feet -- 5 minutes 1,001 - 6,000 feet -- 10 minutes Above 6,000 feet -- 15 minutes Yield: 7 Pints Formatted by: Karen Mintzias - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -