Old Fashioned Sweet Nine Day Pickles

• 4 quarts cucumbers, cut in 1/2 inch pieces
• Soaking Brine
• 2 cups pickling salt
• 16 cups water
• Plain Water Soak
• 4 quarts water
• Pickle Solution
• 1 cup vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon alum
• Sweet Pickle Brine
• 2 cups vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 8 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon pickling spices, tied in a bag

1. STEP ONE: Cut cucumbers in 1/2 inch pieces or a little larger and place in a crock or large glass container. Bring the soaking brine to a boil, pour over cut cucumbers, cover with a clean cloth and weigh down with a plate. Cover crock with a clean tea towel.
2. Let stand three days.
3. STEP TWO: Drain, put back in crock and cover with fresh water. There is no salt added to this.
4. Let stand two days.
5. STEP THREE: Drain and place back in crock.
6. Bring the pickle solution with the alum to a boil and simmer two minutes pour over.
7. Stand overnight.
8. STEP FOUR: Drain and place back in crock. Make Sweet Pickle brine, bring to a boil and pour over. For three days drain this syrup into a large pot and bring to a boil. Pour back over the cucumber slices. The third day once again bring the syrup to a boil. Put pickles into sterilized jars, pour hot brine over and seal.
9. I often replace some of the cucumber pieces with cauliflower chunks, making for a mixed sweet pickle.
10. Makes about eight pints.

cucumbers, soaking brine, pickling salt, water, water, water, solution, vinegar, water, alum, sweet pickle brine, vinegar, water, sugar, turmeric, pickling spices

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/old-fashioned-sweet-nine-day-pickles-180001 (may not work)