How to Make Eight-Day Icicle Pickles - A Step-by-Step Guide

Looking for a unique and delicious pickle recipe that will impress your friends and family? Look no further than these Eight-Day Icicle Pickles! This recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household, as it offers a delightful mix of sweet and tangy flavors that will leave your taste buds wanting more. Whether you enjoy them as a snack on their own or as a tasty addition to your favorite sandwich, these pickles are a versatile and flavorful treat.

At first glance, the name "Eight-...

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Ingredients

  • 10 pounds cucumbers with peel - ends trimmed, halved, seeded, and cut into chunks
  • 2 cups pickling salt
  • 16 cups water
  • 16 cups water
  • 1 ½ teaspoons alum
  • 16 cups water
  • 16 cups water
  • 12 cups white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons pickling spice
  • 6 cups white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon green food coloring
  • 16 cups water
  • 8 1-quart canning jars with lids and rings

Information

  • Prep Time: 3 hrs
  • Cook Time: 1 hr
  • Additional Time: 7 days 1 hr
  • Total Time: 7 days 5 hrs
  • Servings: 128
  • Yield: 8 quarts

  • Day 1: Place the cucumbers into a large (10-quart) jar or pickle crock. Stir the pickling salt and 16 cups of water (or as needed to cover the cucumbers) into a large pot, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the salt is dissolved. Pour the boiling salt mixture over the cucumbers, and cover the crock with a cover or dinner plate.
  • Days 2 and 3: Stir the pickles and brine once each day. Cover the crock each time.
  • Day 4: Pour off the brine. Bring 16 more cups of water to a boil, and pour the boiling water over the pickles. Cover.
  • Day 5: Pour off the water from the pickles again, and bring alum and 16 cups of water to a boil. Stir until the alum is completely dissolved. Pour the boiling water-alum mixture over the pickles. Cover.
  • Day 6: In a large pot, boil 16 more cups of water with the sugar, pickling spice, vinegar, and food coloring. Pour the water-alum mixture from the pickles and discard, and pour the boiling sugar mixture over the pickles. Cover.
  • Day 7: Pour off the syrup from the pickles, but retain the syrup. Transfer the syrup into a large pot, bring to a boil again, and pour over the pickles. Cover.
  • Day 8: Pour off and retain the syrup again, and transfer into a large pot. Reboil the syrup over medium heat. Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the pickles into the hot, sterilized jars, and pour the boiling syrup in, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
  • Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.
  • Nutrition

    78 cal.

    • Sodium: 1740mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 20g
    • Dietary Fiber: 0g
    • Total Sugars: 19g
    • Protein: 0g
    • Vitamin C: 1mg
    • Calcium: 15mg
    • Iron: 0mg
    • Potassium: 54mg