Nasty pickles

What's in them? See below. I like a good one. Not-so-good ones can be pretty awful. My husband paid $175 for a jar of blue-ribbon winning bread & butters at a fundraiser for the MN State Fair Foundation. I only asked him to bid once, but he kept on a'going. Dufus.

* Exported from MasterCook Mac *

Bread & Butter Pickles

Recipe By : posted again to rec.food.cooking by Barb Schaller, 10-11-05 Serving Size : 1 Preparation Time :4:00 Categories : Canning, Preserves, Etc.

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 4 quarts sliced medium cukes (about 25) 3 cups sliced onions (about 4 medium) 2 green peppers -- chopped (or 1 red and 1 green) 3 cloves garlic -- sliced 1-3 cup canning salt 5 cups sugar 3 cups cider vinegar 1 1-2 teaspoons turmeric 1 1-2 teaspoons celery seed 2 tablespoons mustard seed

Combine cukes, onions, pepper, and garlic. Add salt; cover with cracked ice; mix thoroughly. Let stand three hours, drain well. Combine second column ingredients, pour over cuke mixture. Heat just to a boil. Seal in hot, sterilized jars. Yield: 7-8 pints.

Source: Recipe is originally from an old Better Homes & Gardens cookbook in 1983. I bring the brine mixture to a boil, then add the cukes to it -- maybe that cooks them a little less? I also process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10-15 minutes or so to insure a seal; does not affect the crispness of the product.

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NOTES : Blue Ribbon Winner at the Minnesota State Fair in 1983, 1984, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005. Deemed to be Best of the Pickles in 2001 -- Gedney prize.