Cinnamon Pickles

Several years ago I would make cinnamon pickles. This summer I made them again. The cucumbers need to be large and beginning to turn yellow and the process takes 4 days from start to finish. It's not hard just takes time.

Here is the recipe for CINNAMON PICKLES:
1 gallon cucumber pieces
1 cup lime
4 1/4 quarts water
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 bottle red food coloring
1/2 Tablespoon alum

Use cucumbers that have begun to turn yellow. Peel, slice, and remove seeds. Dissolve lime in water. Put cucumber pieces in lime water and let sand 24 hours. Drain, cover with cold water and soak 3 hours. Drain. Add vinegar, food coloring and alum; finish covering with water. Heat and simmer 2 hours; then drain. Make a syrup as follows:

SYRUP
5 cups sugar
1 package red candy red hots
1 cup vinegar
4 cinnamon sticks
1 cup water

Mix all ingredients and bring to a boil. Pour over cucumber pieces. Close tightly and let stand overnight. For three consecutive days, drain syrup into a pan; heat and pour back over the pieces. The fourth morning heat pieces and syrup, and bring to a boil. Pack into jars and seal by processing 5 minutes in a boiling waterbath. Makes 6 pints.

When Melodi and Amberlea were small they loved these, especially Amberlea. I could not put them on the table before we ate or she would