More Pickling going on

  enough for 3 batches

This morning I picked up a friend, and we headed out to the Halifax,Wal Mart so I could  get more canning jars. On the way I stopped at Nesserella's farm stand to see if they had pickling cucumbers. They did, and they were nice sized. I bought enough for 2 batches, and because I bought so many cucumbers the lady only charged me $1.20 a pound. That has been the lowest price that I've seen. In the grocery stores they range from $1.99 to $2.59 and haven't looked that great.  At that price I went back and picked out enough cucumbers to make another batch.

I got home, put the canning jars, lids and covers into the dishwasher to sterilize them, washed the cukes and started cutting my slices. I then sliced the onions and started my pickle mix on the stove. The canning pot of water hasn't come to a boil yet, but it's almost ready.  I'd rather do a large batch than smaller ones..get the mess out of the way in one canning session.

2 batches in the base of the enamel turkey pan, and one batch split between 2 Pyrex bowls. Cucumber slices with onion and Kosher salt. The pickles have another 45 minutes in the salt before I can rinse them good, and add to the pickling mix. I love the smell of the vinegar in the pickling mix of sugar and spices cooking on the stove top.

5:00 P.M...Finally finished today's pickle making. The house is hot even with the air conditioner going. Phew!  Today's cucumbers made 3- 4 ounce jars, 7 pints, 4- fancy 1/2 pint jars, and 8- half pints.

So between yesterday and today..I have put up 35 containers of bread & butter pickles. I don't think I will make more of these.

Elaine