Pickle Party! Sweet Relish, B&B's, Kosher & Dill Spears OH MY!

Those that know me know that I do things under the saying "go big or go home." I never realized that applies to me and canning.  I ventured down to the new Farmers Market in town - on a mission for Pickling Cucs!  Many people don't realize that there are specially grown cucs for pickling - ones that are smaller, thinner skinned and more dense "inside" so that bacteria/enzymes are easily killed off in canning/fermenting.  I prefer Kirby's if I can get them. I also grow my own but, there are never enough maturing all at once *those I grow usually end up being made into "fridge" pickles on a jar-by-jar basis. So...back to the market - first Farmers stand I walk up to and they are already all sold out - I was so bummed.  There are only 2 Farmers Veggie Stands at this smaller Farmers Market. I thought that chances of getting any cucs at the other stand was about 10% ... luck was finally on my side and as I walked up to the second Farmers stand - I saw a large box of nice big Kirby cucs staring back at me!!  the sign said "50 cents each of 3 for $1" - I started filling a bag with glee!! then it dawned on me - why not ask to buy the whole case?  I ended up talking to the Farmer himself (super sweet guy) he sold me the box for $12.00 and gave me a large bunch of fresh Dill for free too!!! I had no idea how many cucs were in the box - 48 to be exact!  *yep, do the math, I did pretty well... SOOO for the last 2 days I've been pickling - 2 recipes each day and taking today off to focus later on the sweet corn I bought from him too!!!   I will post below all 4 recipes and photos - 2 from Ball's Blue Book. 1 from Mrs. Wages and 1 from "Put Em Up" recipe book.  Sit back, count your canning jars, check your vinegar supply and get ready to CAN SOME PICKLES with me - Enjoy! Diane 

Four Pickling Recipes for using Pickling Cucumber! 

1. Mrs Wages Kosher Dill Mix 
   
2. Put 'Em Up!  Dill Spears
   
3. Sweet Pickle Relish
   
4. Bread & Butter Pickles

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1.  Mrs Wages Kosher Dill Pickle Mix called for the simplest of the 4 recipes as it was premeasure, premade spice packet.  This is my first time trying this mix.  I will report back on the taste test when done.  This was a simple "add vinegar and sugar, bring to boil, pour over cucs packed into jars" type of recipe. 

2 Put 'Em Up! Dill Spears I found this recipe for a dill with sugar mix from Sherri Brooks Vinton's Book "Put 'Em Up!" 
..."These pickles have lots of great dill flavor. Keep a bunch to sidle up to a sandwich, or chop them up into preparations such as tartar sauce and Russian dressing..." Sherri Brooks Vinton/ Author 

INGREDIENTS
5 pounds cucumbers, ends removed, cut into pint-jar size spears
½ cup salt
2 cups ice cubes
4 cups distilled white vinegar
2 cups water
2 tablespoons sugar
8 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons dill seed
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon peppercorns
Makes Approx 6 Pints 

Directions:
Layer the cukes with the salt in a large bowl and cover with a layer of ice cubes. Set aside for 2 hours. 
Drain, rinse, and pack into clean, hot pint canning jars.
Combine the vinegar, water, sugar, garlic, dill seed, celery seed, and peppercorns in a medium nonreactive saucepan, and bring to a boil. 
Pour the hot brine over the spears to cover by ½ inch. 
Leave ½ inch of headspace.
Wipe the rims clean; center lids on the jars and screw on jar bands. Process for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, remove canner lid, and let jars rest in the water for 5 minutes. Remove Jars and set aside to cool. 

3, Sweet Pickle Relish   from Ball's Blue Book of Preserving.  Love LOVE this relish and make it 
every chance I get - so happy to have the cucumbers to do so!! 

Ingredients
1 quart chopped cucumber
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped red pepper
1 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup canning salt
3 cups sugar
2 cups cider vinegar
1 Tbs celery seed
1 Tbs mustard seed
Makes Approx 7 Half-Pint Jars

Directions
Start by preparing jars,and get water in your canner heating. 
Combine chopped cucumbers, onion, green peppers in a large bowl. 
Sprinkle with canning salt and cover with cold water. 
Let stand for 2 hours. 
Drain & rinse well. Press out any excess water. 
Combine sugar, vinegar and spices. 
Bring to a boil.
Add well drained vegetables to mix and simmer 10 minutes. 
Pack into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch head space. 
Adjust two-piece caps.4.Process 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner, adjusting for altitude

4.  Bread & Butter Pickles from Ball's Blue Book of Preserving.  I love making my microwave/fridge B&B pickles but, when canning - I like to make sure to do some B&B's so I can 'gift' them out during the holidays.

INGREDIENTS:
4 pounds 4- to 6-inch cucumbers, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 pounds onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup canning salt
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons mustard seed
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons celery seed
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon peppercorns
3 cups vinegar
Ball® Pickle Crisp® Granules
Makes Approx 7 Pint Jars

DIRECTIONS:
Combine cucumber and onion slices in a large bowl, layering with salt: cover with ice cubes. Let stand 1 1/2 hours. Drain; rinse; drain again.
Combine remaining ingredients except Pickle Crisp in a large saucepot; bring to a boil. 
Add drained cucumbers and onions and return to a boil.
Pack hot pickles and liquid into hot jars.
1/4 inch headspace. 
Add rounded 1/8 tsp Pickle Crisp® Granules to each jar. 
Remove air bubbles. 
Adjust two-piece caps.4.Process 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner, adjusting for altitude


ALL Photos by: Diane Baker for Canning and Cooking at Home - ALL recipes Credited within Recipe.