Mock Apple Rings

Red pickles are so pretty!

These are the mock apple rings that I have extended the prep time for.  No, no butter this evening but there is a lot of sugar involved.

and

some unnecessary time.  You would do all this differently.  You would set aside the morning to clean the cucumbers,

Cut them in half to scoop out the seeds.

peel

and slice them

 And You would put them in their lime water way before noon. 

Did you know that this water does not smell pleasant?  And do NOT use an aluminum pan!!!  The pickle police will come to your door!

I just trust the warnings.  Plastic for me.

Well, I guess I must admit my preocupation with anything but putting up these pickles and tell you the rest

After 24 or so <cough> hours, take the cukes out carefully and rinse well.  Put them in a pot with alum and red food coloring.  Simmer for 2 hours.  It could have been done before lunch <cough, cough>

NO PICS

I figure I have flooded you with enough already

Then drian the cukes again.  Meanwhile, mix vinegar and sugar together to make a syrup.  Add cinnamon candies

and pour over cukes/pickles to be.

 

Bring to a boil and pour in clean jars with whole cloves in the bottom and seal. 

 You would have been done YESTERDAY at 1 PM.  But I had to take the road less traveled.  However, it seems that the results have been the same.

Red Mock Apple Ring pickles for any "red" holiday.....Christmas, Valentine's Day, Fourth of July or "Today is Red Day".  They are crisp, sweet and with a little bite from the cinnamon and cloves.  Delish!  And pretty. 

Actual recipe:

4 lbs. overgrown cucumbers

1 c. pickling lime

Wash, core, peel and slice cucumbers.  Mix lime and enough water to cover.  Place cucumber in lime water for 24 hours.

Drain and rinse thoroughly.

1 1/2 teas. red food color

1/2 c. vinegar

1 teas. alum

Place cucumbers in vinegar solution, add water to just cover and simmer for 2 hours on low heat.

Drain and discard water.

Make syrup of

1 c. vinegar

5 c. sugar

2 pkg cinnamon candies

Put all in a pot (NOT ALUMINUM) and bring to a boil.

Place pickles in prepared jars and add hot syrup.  Put rings and lids on and allow jars to cool and seal.

Enjoy your Mock Apple Rings!