Fire Cider Sweet Heat Pickles

Ingredients

  • 4 C thickly sliced pickling cucumbers (8 to 10 cucumbers)
  •  1 C peeled and sliced onion (about 1 large onion)
  • 4–6 cloves of garlic, smashed
  • 2 T pickling salt
  •  1 C pre-prepared fire cider or apple cider vinegar (you can also use white vinegar or a mixture of the two)
  • ¼ –¾ C granulated sugar (if your fire cider is already sweetened you can omit sugar or use honey, adjust sweetness to taste)
  • 4 T pickling spice
  • ½ t red pepper flakes
  • 2 sprigs of fresh dill

Supplies
• 2-pint size mason jars
• 1 Large 21.5-quart pot
• Tongs or jar lifter
• Wooden Chopstick

Directions

  1. Combine the sliced cucumbers, onion and pickling salt in a colander; set in a large bowl and refrigerate for 3–4 hours (for large batches let it sit overnight) to remove excess liquid.
  2.  After refrigerating rinse the vegetables WELL and discard the liquid.
  3. Combine the fire cider and sugar in a large pot and heat over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
  4. Add the pickling spice, red pepper flakes and garlic then increase the heat to high and bring the brine to a boil.
  5. Add the drained vegetables to the large pot and stir to combine.
  6. Cook for 5 minutes or until all the vegetables in the brine are fully heated through.
  7. Using tongs, fill the sterilized jars with the vegetables.
  8. Slowly pour the hot brine over the vegetables in each jar, leaving ½ inch headspace.
  9. Add one dill sprig to each jar.
  10. Gently tap the jars on a towel-lined countertop to help loosen any bubbles before using a wooden chopstick to dislodge any remaining bubbles. Check the headspace again and add more brine if necessary.
  11. Wipe the jar rims, apply the lids and rings.
  12. Add your jars to your empty large pot.
  13. Fill up your pot of water at least two inches above the jars.
  14. Bring water to a full boil — process jars in the hot water bath for 20 minutes
  15. After 20 minutes carefully remove jars with tongs and place on the towel-lined counter.
  16. Wait to hear the pop of each jar as it cools to make sure they have been properly sealed. You can also press the tops of the jar after it cools and if it doesn’t move it is sealed.
  17. Let these pickles cure on the counter for 48 hours to 14 days before eating.
  18. Remember to label the jars with the date.

Yield: 2 pints

From: Learning Herbs.com