Seven Day Sweet Pickles - cooking recipe

Ingredients

7 lb. medium sized cucumbers
1/2 qt. vinegar
1/2 qt. water
5 or 6 whole cloves
8 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. salt
2 Tbsp. mixed pickling spices

Preparation

Wash cucumbers.
Cover them with boiling water.
Let stand for 24 hours, then drain.
Repeat this each day for 4 days, using fresh water every time.
On the fifth day, cut cucumbers about 1/4-inch thick.
Combine vinegar, sugar, salt and spices.
Bring liquid to a boil and pour over the sliced cucumbers.
Let stand for 24 hours.
Repeat on the 6th day.
Heat the same liquid.
On the last day, strain the syrup and heat the liquid again.
Add green or red food coloring, if desired.
Add cucumbers and bring to boiling point.
Pack in jars and seal.