Shlomo's Kosher Sour Pickles/Tomatoes by Sy

• 13 -20 kirby cucumbers, Wash and scrub to remove dirt (No waxed cucumbers, about 3 lbs)
• 12 cup kosher salt or 12 cup coarse salt
• 14 cup vinegar
• 3 tablespoons pickling spices, Remove cloves (Use Spice Bouquet 'Pickling Spices' if available)
• 6 -8 garlic cloves, Skin removed and crushed
• 2 teaspoons dill seeds
• 12 teaspoon chili pepper flakes
• 18 teaspoon alum (optional)

1. KOSHER SOUR PICKLES RECIPE-.
2. Cut 1/16 inch off the blossom end.
3. Discard any cucumbers that are bruised or damaged.
4. In a 3 1/2 quart glass jar add the Kirby Cucumbers standing them upright (Turning the jar on its side will help).
5. Put all the spices into a large bowl (Alum Optional), add some water and mix.
6. Then pour this mixture into the jar, top off with water.
7. Adding a piece of rye bread is also optional.
8. Place a small item (A piece of plastic, wood, etc.)
9. on top to keep the Kirby Cucumbers down and under the water/brine.
10. Close jar and turn upside down to mix all the ingredients --.
11. Next open jar, put "plastic wrap" on the top (Use a rubber band to keep in place); Then using a kitchen knife punch many holes in the "plastic wrap" in order to let some of the brine gases out.
12. Let the Kirby cucumbers stand 2-3 weeks (in a "COOL" location) depending on how fast they cure in the brine; From time-to-time you can remove any scum on the top, add a little salted water to top off -- and shake the mixture.
13. Then place in the refrigerator!
14. Note: For half sour pickles, let it pickle for about 1 week -- and then place in the refrigerator!
15. KOSHER SOUR TOMATOES RECIPE-.
16. Use the same recipe as outlined above for "Kosher Sour Pickles".
17. However, use about 10-12 green tomatoes (about 3 lbs) in place of the kirby cucumbers.
18. Also, sour tomatoes need a little more salt then kirby pickles -- so add to taste.
19. Take off the tomato stems.
20. As an option cut away the brown area and leave a small hole which will allow the brine to penetrate into the tomatoes (you can also cut the tomatoes in half).
21. Let stand 2-3 weeks depending on how fast the tomatoes cure in the brine.
22. Then place in the refrigerator!
23. NOTE: If you can find green "Plum Tomatoes" you might want to try them as well!

kirby cucumbers, kosher salt, vinegar, pickling spices, garlic, dill seeds, chili pepper, alum

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/shlomos-kosher-sour-pickles-tomatoes-by-sy-73027 (may not work)