Susies Mothers Award Winning Pickles Recipes

BLUE RIBBON DILL PICKLES

Steps:

• GET ALL OF THIS GOING BEFORE FILLING THE JARS.
• Wash 7 quart jars in hot, soapy water (or dishwasher), rinse and fill with hot water; set aside.
• Fill canning kettle half-full with hottest tap water; set on burner over high heat.
• In a medium saucepan, fit lids and rings together, cover with water, bring to a simmer.
• In a large saucepan, bring water, vinegar and salt to boil; turn off the heat; set aside.
• FILL JARS: place a layer of dill at the bottom of each jar, along with one garlic clove (if used), then TIGHTLY load the cukes into the jar to the NECK of the jar (depending on size you may get two nice layers with a few small cukes in the top--)---squeeze cukes into the jar tightly--uniform size helps; add a few TINY spriglets of dill at the top, too, and another garlic clove if desired.
• Once jars are loaded, pour in the brine leaving half-inch head space in each jar.
• Add lid and ring to each jar, tightening evenly.
• Place jars into canner with water JUST to the necks of the jars.
• Bring water ALMOST to a boil (about 15 minutes--depending on how fast it heats up).
• Remove jars, set on a dish towel on the kitchen counter, cover with another dish towel & let cool.
• Check for seal (indented lid), label jars or lids, store in cool dark cellar or cupboard.
• NOTES: When washing/scrubbing cukes, sort them into piles by size. This really helps make your jars look nicer, if you have uniform sizes (and this impresses the judges too!). And makes for easier packing, too.

DELICIOUS GOLDEN MUSTARD PICKLES

Steps:

• Trim the core off of cauliflower; cut into bite-size florets to make 8 cups.
• Place in a large stockpot, along with cucumbers, onions, red and green peppers.
• Sprinkle with 1/2 cup pickling salt; cover with cold water.
• Set aside in cool spot (do not refrigerate) for 12 hours.
• Return the pot to element; bring veggie mixture just to a boil, over med-high heat; drain in large colander, discarding brine.
• Set the veggies aside.
• Rinse the pot.
• Add 4 cups of vinegar; bring to boil over medium heat.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together, sugar, flour, mustard and tumeric powder; whisk in 1 cup water, and remaining vinegar to make a smooth paste.
• Whisk into hot vinegar, and bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened (amout 3 minutes).
• Add the veggies, stir to coat.
• Bring to a boil, stirring gently.
• Ladle into 2-cup hot canning jars, leaving 1/2-inch head space.
• Cover with warm discs; screw on bands fingertip tight.
• Process in boiling water canner for 10 minutes.
• Remove, and let cool on rack.

BEST EVER SWEET PICKLES

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive bowl, combine cucumbers, onion and salt. Cover with crushed ice and mix well. Let stand 3 hours. Drain; rinse and drain thoroughly., In a Dutch oven, combine sugar, water, vinegars, mustard seed, celery seed and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add cucumber mixture; return to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 4-5 minutes or until heated through., Carefully ladle hot mixture into 4 hot wide-mouth 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Add 3 garlic cloves and 1 bay leaf to each jar. Remove air bubbles and, if necessary, adjust headspace by adding hot pickling liquid. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

NANA'S SOUTHERN PICKLED PEACHES

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, vinegar and water in a large pot, and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Press one or two cloves into each peach, and place into the boiling syrup. Boil for 20 minutes, or until peaches are tender.
• Spoon peaches into sterile jars and top with liquid to 1/2 inch from the rim. Put one cinnamon stick into each jar. Wipe the rims with a clean dry cloth, and seal with lids and rings. Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes to seal, or consult times recommended by your local extension.

POP'S DILL PICKLES

Steps:

• Place cucumbers in a large pot and cover with ice cubes. Let them sit for at least 2 hours but no more than 8. Drain and pat dry.
• Place the water, vinegar, sugar, pickling salt, and pickling spice into a saucepan. Bring to boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the cucumbers into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/2 inch of the top. Place 1 dill head and 1 clove of garlic into each jar. Pour the hot pickling liquid into the jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 5 minutes, or the time recommended by your county Extension agent.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). If any jars have not sealed properly, refrigerate them and eat within two weeks. Store in a cool, dark area, and wait at least 1 week before opening.

SUSIE'S MOTHER'S AWARD WINNING PICKLES

Steps:

• 1.) Wash jars in dish-washer (don't worry about the caps) 2.) scrub (with nail brushes) and soak the cucs in ice-water 3.) wash the dill well and cut into sprigs 4.) slice carrots/peel garlic cloves --place the cucs in the jar --between 1 to 2 sprigs of dill --2 or 3 pieces of garlic --1 or 2 or 3 carrots --1 tablespoon pickling spice --fill jars with salt water 1 bushel is approx. 40 quarts according to my Mommy...