Bread & Butter Pickles

Yields approximately 7 quarts of pickles

Ingredients

• 3 quarts thinly-sliced, unpeeled cucumbers (about 4 pounds)

• 7 cups thinly-sliced onions (about 2 pounds)

• 1 red and 1 green pepper, cut in strips (any combination of bell pepper colors works fine)

• ½ cup pickling salt (can use table salt, but it needs to be non-iodized)

• 1 cup water

• 2½ cups sugar

• 2½ cups apple cider or white vinegar (Mom usually uses apple cider vinegar. She thinks it tastes better.)

• 2 Tbsp. mustard seeds

• 1 tsp celery seeds

• 1 tsp turmeric

Equipment

• 7 quart-sized canning jars, with rings and lids

• Cold-bath canner to fit your jars

• Large bowl or container for soaking the vegetables

• Large pot for boiling everything

• Jar tongs for removing the jars from the canner

• Chop stick or butter knife for removing air pockets from the jars

• Mandolin or knife for cutting vegetables

Steps

1. Put cucumbers, onions, and peppers in large container

2. Cover thoroughly with the salt

3. Place a solid layer of ice over the vegetables (make sure the vegetables stay covered with ice)

4. Let the vegetables sit for 3 hours (a little longer is okay, but you want at least 3 hours)

5. Fill your cold-bath canner with water and start it heating, so it's ready to go when you finish filling your jars

6. In a separate pot big enough for everything, bring the remaining ingredients to a boil

7. Remove the vegetables from the ice bath, discarding any remaining ice and water

8. Add the vegetables to the boiling mixture and return to a boil

9. Pack in hot jars (the hot mixture might break a cold jar)*, making sure to remove air pockets

10. Wipe rims, seal, and process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes (they need to be in boiling water for 10 minutes)

11. Remove from canner, place on a dishtowel or trivet (so the jars don't contact a cold counter), and allow to cool

* To heat the jars, place in an oven and set it to 200°F. Then take the jars out one-at-a-time when you're filling them, so the jars are hot when the hot liquid goes in.