A few of you may know I volunteer at the 61st Street Farmers Market when my schedule permits. It’s been  a few weeks since my last shift and I was so happy to see such an abundance. What a difference a few weeks make in the growing season. Naturally I loaded up and went to town preserving the taste of summer with my beautiful Weck jars.

I don’t particularly care for sweet pickles. Give me a big sour Kosher dill pickle and I’m happy. But I decided to do a sweet pickle because I purchased a combination of various cucumbers. One being a beautiful sweet white variety. I looked at some recipes and played around and I decided to use all white vinegar, as I don’t like the taste of apple cider vinegar when I’m pickling. Odd, but that’s me.

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Bread and Butter Pickles

makes 4  1/5 liter jars

• 8 or nine small cucumbers for pickles ( equivalent to 2 punnets in size) ( try to get a variety )
• 1/3 cup salt
• 1 onion sliced thinly in rings
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 tablespoon  whole all spice
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 tablespoon hot mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon dried garlic
• 1 teaspoon dill
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1. Slice cucumbers into rings , preferably with a ripple cut. Slice onion thinly.
2. In a bowl, put the cucumbers and onions. Add salt and cover with  cold water to cover. Cover with lid and let sit for about 3-4 hours.
3. Sterilize your jars and lids according to manufacturer instructions. Prepare your hot water bath.
4. Drain the sliced cucumbers and onions.
5. In a non reactive sauce pan, heat sugar, vinegar and spices.
6. Pack your cucumber and onions.
7. Pour hot vinegar/sugar solution with spices over the vegetables and  seal according to manufacturer instructions.
8. Process in a  hot water bath for 10 minutes.
9. Allow to cool on a rack  and leave undisturbed t seal overnight.
10. Test/ check seals. Read how to see if sealed according to your jars manufacturer instructions.

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Don’t forget you have until next week to win a set of Three Nordic Ware Bundt Pans for my Housewarming Party for Coco-Cooks.com.