Sweet and Spicy Dill Pickles

By brendaz

A spicy, sweeter departure from the standard dill pickle, these also have garlic and pickling spice which make them a full-flavored pickle...I seldom make regular dills now, everyone always asks for these!

Ingredients

• Brine:
• Small, firm cucumbers
• Dill (2 heads per jar)
• Garlic cloves, peeled (4 per jar or more to taste)
• Jalapeno slices (2 slices per jar or more to taste)
• Pickling spice (2 tsp. per jar)
• 13 cups water
• 5 cups pickling vinegar
• 4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup course salt

Details

Servings 10
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 45mins
Adapted from foodandfact.com

Preparation

Step 1

(This includes directions for processing in a boiling water bath, which is recommended for safe storage. I personally skip this part, but ensure that my jars are fresh from the dishwasher and very hot. I seldom have a jar that does not seal, and only make enough to last the year. But if you are planning on storing your jars for an extended period, a boiling water bath is recommended.)

Place jars into dishwasher and run them on a regular cycle. Meanwhile, fill the canner about 1/3 full of water and start heating. Put all the brine ingredients into a large pot and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Bring a small pot of water to a boil and remove from heat; place the jar seals into the hot water and let them sit until you are ready to use them. (I use the Bernardin Snap Seals and lids).

When the jars are ready, remove them from the dishwasher one at a time. Place a head of dill, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 slice of jalapeno and 1 tsp. pickling spice into the bottom of the jar. Fill the jar tightly with cucumbers, strategically placing them for maximum fit. Place on top of the cucumbers 2 cloves of garlic, 1 tsp. of pickling spice, 2 slices of jalapeno and lastly one more head of dill. Using a glass measure or a soup ladle, carefully pour the hot brine into the jar to within a couple of millimeters of the top; place the seal and then screw the lid on tightly. Move on to the next jar and repeat until all the jars are full and sealed. Place each jar into the canner- you may need to add more hot water to ensure that all jars are covered by at least one inch of water. Cover canner and bring water to full rolling boil; once the water is boiling process for 15 minutes.

When processing time is complete, remove canner lid, wait 5 minutes, then carefully remove jars without tilting and place them upright on a protected work surface. Cool upright, undisturbed for 24 hours, then move them to a cupboard or cool, dark room for storage. The pickles will be ready to eat in 4 weeks, but are even better if you can leave them for 6 weeks. Enjoy!