12allspice berries, plus a pinch of ground allspice
12whole cloves, plus a pinch of ground cloves
1tspground turmeric
6-8cice cubes or crushed ice
Instructions
RINSE, SLICE, SALT, AND CHILL
Rinse the cucumbers well, and scrub away any dirt that the farmer may have left on. Slice off 1/8″ from each end, and discard. (There is an enzyme in the blossom end that would make your pickles mushy. Get rid of it.)
Slice the cucumbers 1/4″ thick, and put into a 4-5 quart nonreactive bowl or basin. Have the onions lengthwise, then slice the halves crosswise 1/4″ thick, and add them to the cucumbers. Pour the salt over all, and mix well together. (NOTE: be sure to use a salt without additives, because regular salt will make muddy dark pickles)
Pile on an inch or two of ice. Cover the bowl with a tea towel, and put it in the refrigerator or a cooler for 2 to 4 hours.
PREP JARS FOR CANNING
Prepare 8 pint jars for canning: either boil them in a large kettle of water for 10 minutes, or run them through the dishwasher. Set 8 bands aside, ready to use. Put 8 lids in a heat-proof bowl, cover them with boiling water, and let the lids stand until you are ready to use them.
DRAIN & RINSE, THEN BRINE & BOIL
When you’re ready to proceed, discard the ice from the sliced cucumbers and onions. Rinse the vegetables thoroughly, drain, and then rinse and drain again.
Take a 6 to 8 quart non-reactive pot (I like stainless steel for this). Pour in both vinegars, the sugar, and all the spices. Bring this to a boil, stirring occasionally, and make sure that the sugar is dissolved. Add the sliced cucumbers and onions, and bring back to the boil.
As soon as the liquid begins boiling again, use a slotted spoon to pack the hot jars with the vegetables. Pack each jar, leaving 1 inch of headspace. Then pour the hot vinegar/spice solution over the vegetables to within one-half inch from the rim. Wipe the rims clean, cover with lids, then secure finger-tight with the bands.
TO PROCESS IN WATERBATH OR STEAM CANNER
Process the filled jars in a boiling water bath OR in a steam canner for 10 minutes (up to altitudes of 1000 feet above sea level.) Let jars cool on a towel, and listen for the cheerful popping sound as the lids seal. If a lid does not seal properly, store the jar in the refrigerator and use it promptly.
TO PROCESS SOUS VIDE
Have your sous-vide bath (I use a 12-quart Cambro rectangular container) at 120-140˚F. Put filled jars in the container, and set the sous vide temperature to 180˚F. When the unit beeps, maintain that temperature for 30 minutes. At the end of 30 minutes, remove jars, let them cool on a towel, and (again) listen for the cheerful popping sounds.