Bick'S Pickled Beets

• 8 cups raw beets (golf ball size)
• 2 cups onions
• 4 cups white vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups water (reserved from cooking beets)
• 1 tablespoon pickling salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon whole cloves
• 4 inches cinnamon sticks

1. Under cold running water, thoroughly wash beets. Cut stems leaving 1" of stem and all of the root attached. Place beets into a large pot and fill with COLD water enough to cover beets by 1". Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook covered until beets are fork tender. (20-30 minutes).
2. Drain beets saving liquid in a separate container and immediately plunge hot beets into an ice water bath to stop cooking process. When cool enough to handle, remove skin, stems and roots.
3. Slice onion into 1/4" thick, separated rings.
4. Make a cheesecloth spice bag containing cloves and cinnamon stick. In a medium pot combine 1 1/2 Cups of reserved beet cooking liquid, vinegar, sugar, salt and add the spice bag. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 5 minutes.
5. Pack hot, sterilized, 1 Litre pickling jars with alternating layers of onion rings and whole beets. Start with onion rings on bottom and end with onion rings on top.
6. Ladle hot spice liquid through a strainer into beet filled jars leaving 1/4" air space at top. Seal jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
7. After processing, remove jars, let cool and store in cupboard. Ready in 2 weeks.
8. Keeps for 12 months, refrigerate after opening.

beets, onions, white vinegar, water, pickling salt, sugar, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/bicks-pickled-beets-211319 (may not work)