Thursday 7 August 2014

Bread and Butter Pickles

I've been away from my blog for too long.  I've been suffering from a pulled muscle in my lower back.  This hits me once every year and a half or so.  Anyone who has a similar problem will understand.  I was confined to my bed for three days.  I am slowly getting up and around, but am still very nervous and very careful.  It happened when I simply placed a coffee on a small occasional table and was about to move it closer to my chair when "BAM"!!---that's how easy it happens.  Needless to say my coffee went all over the floor and table, and I couldn't even think about sitting up to enjoy drinking another coffee for about four days.


I missed all of the Gambo Day civic holiday festivities that I was so looking forward to, and I had to cancel all plans for hubby's birthday celebration.  Oh well, not to fear, Rana & Mark are coming for next weekend, so hopefully I will be right back to myself and we'll celebrate then.

I was able to stand at the kitchen island yesterday to chop, dice and slice a batch of fresh cucumber, so hubby helped me make our annual batch of bread and butter pickles.  I forgot to take pictures of the whole process, but I did take out the camera and got some shots of the finished product. 

Have a look........








Here's the recipe.....




Bread and Butter Pickles

16 cups             sliced cucumber
8                      medium onions (sliced)
1/3 cup             salt
5 cups               sugar
1 ½ tsp              mustard seed
1 ½ tsp              turmeric
4 cups               vinegar

Place all ingredients into a large canning pot and bring to a boil.  Cook for ten minutes, stirring occasionally.  Transfer cooked ingredients to sterilized jars and seal.  Store in a cool dry place. 

NOTE**
I used to add sliced green and red peppers for color, but the pepper cooks to a soft mushy consistency, therefore I eliminated it.  We prefer the crunchy texture of the cucumber and onions alone.




Have a great weekend!
Cheers
:)