So by the time I finished canning dill pickles last evening it looked like the Gedney Pickle Factory had exploded in my kitchen. I did wind up with 30 pints of pickles, so it was well worth it. For those interested in my dill pickle recipe, I have to admit that I cheat. I have a long history of making lousy tasting dill pickles from scratch. So now it is Mrs. Wages Dill Pickle Mix all the way.
When the last jar was cooling on my kitchen table I decided that the Clean Kitchen Police weren't likely to come knocking on my door, so I relaxed for an hour or so and called it a night. So now I am off, scoop shovel in hand, to see if I can find my kitchen counters and table top. Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it. :)
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Good luck, cleaning up is always my least favourite part of cooking.
ReplyDeleteAlso I love pickles!! lol
Jenn...I am not fond of the cleaning up part either, but I just don't have the heart to leave it for the cleaning lady. She might take one look, turn around and run, never to be seen again. :)
DeletePickles never last long around here. A small jar or gallon jar, its gone within a few days. Mom dad made some once. too heavy on the garlic for me. I love the bread and butter ones.
ReplyDeleteRob...My son loves the dills so he gets most of them. My favorite are the bread and butter ones, too.
DeleteLife ain't easy for a boot-leg pickle-maker!
ReplyDeleteHa! You're funny, Gorges. The pickles are well worth the effort, even if they are 'boot-leg.' :)
DeleteThat's a lot of pickles, ha ha! I love the bread and butter recipe that Ball canning has. One year I made 3 different types and they won over the others.
ReplyDeleteKristina...My son gets most of the dills as they are his favorite. I hold out for the bread and butters. My recipe is about the same as from the Ball book. They are a seriously good pickle!
DeleteI love this post and it made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I can, my kitchen looks like a tornado hit it.
Well done. I'll have to look for that mix. Will you post your recipe for the bread and butter pickle? The only success I've had is pickle relish so I could use the help.
Cheers, SJ
SJ...I always thought my kitchen was messy because I had so many kids that I was constantly cooking - baking - canning for to keep them fed. Now I find out I can't blame them. I'm the one who can trash my kitchen with ease!!!
DeleteMrs. Wage's has mixes for all sorts of things - spaghetti and pizza sauce, salsa, pie fillings, a variety of pickles. They have a bread and butter pickle mix - haven't tried that one yet, but have been well satisfied with the dills and the spaghetti ans pizza sauces, although the sauces need to be cooked down longer than they recommend for a thicker sauce.
If you want to do bread and butters from scratch, here is my Mother's recipe that I have always used:
Mom's Bread and Butter Pickles
15 cups cucumbers, sliced 1/4 inch thick
3 onions, sliced thin
1/4 cup canning salt (NOT table salt)
4 cups cracked ice
2 1/2 cups cider vinegar
2 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
Combine cucumbers, onions, salt and ice in a large bowl. Mix well. Let stand 3 hours. Rinse and drain well.
Combine vinegar, sugar, turmeric, celery seed and mustard seed in a large pot. Add drained cucumbers.
Place pot on medium low heat. Bring almost to a boil. Remove from heat.
Ladle cukes and brine into jars. Wipe jar rims and top with lids and rings.
Process 10 minutes in a Boiling Water Bath.
I have been thinking about stocking up on Mrs. Wage's simply because the end product tastes good and it is easier than from scratch. Good luck!
Thanks for the recipe!!! I already see at least one of my issues in the past - I'd overcook them and boil them when in the initial cook pot. And then water bath them. No wonder mine would turn to mush!!! LOL
DeleteCheers, SJ
SJ...I have always had good luck with that recipe. If you decide to make them, let me know how they turn out. :)
DeleteI haven't tried pickles yet. I just finished 30 pounds of cherries. I candied then dried 15 pounds and dried the other 15 pounds. Plus cooked down 5 pints of cherry syrup.
ReplyDeleteRed
Red...Cherries are a favorite of mine. I have canned them but have never dried them. Can you tell me how you did it? The cherry syrup sounds heavenly!!
DeleteMom,the pickles are absolutely delicious. Thank you, thank you. Duane
ReplyDeleteSon...I haven't tried them yet so I am glad to hear they turned out so good. Enjoy!!!
DeleteYears ago my mother would pickle little onions, carrots, garlic, and string beans. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteBW...I have never tried pickling vegetables other than cucumbers and beets, but if I can get my hands on some fresh green beans, I may give it a go. My mother used to can crabapple pickles. They were to die for!
DeleteI forgot to mention pickled eggs and Ukrainian sausage.
DeleteBW...I have heard of pickled eggs before, but not combined with sausage, so I looked it up. Craven coward that I am, I'm not so sure I would have the courage to try them. Although I don't suppose they could be any worse than the pickled pig's feet my Dad so dearly loved. :)
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