Christmas Pickles - cooking recipe

Ingredients

14 large cucumbers
1 c. lime
1 gal. water
2 c. vinegar
6 c. sugar
1 c. vinegar
1 Tbsp. alum
2 pkg. red hots (about 2 c.)
4 sticks cinnamon, broken up
1 large bottle red or green food color

Preparation

Peel, core and slice thick about 1/4 the cucumbers.
Place in a pan with water and lime.
Let this set overnight.
Drain and wash 3 times in clear water.
Cover with cold water and let set for 4 hours.
Drain again.
Mix 1 cup vinegar, alum and coloring. Add this and enough water to cover cucumbers.
Bring to a simmer and let cook for 2 hours; do not boil.
Pour liquid off.
Mix 2 cups vinegar, 6 cups sugar, red hots and 4 sticks of cinnamon. Bring to a boil and pour over drained cucumbers.
Let set overnight.
Reheat in same juice.
Pack in sterilized jars and seal.
Makes approximately 8 pints.