Old Fashioned Sweet Nine Day Pickles - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 quarts cucumbers, cut in 1/2 inch pieces
Soaking Brine
2 cups pickling salt
16 cups water
Plain Water Soak
4 quarts water
Pickle Solution
1 cup vinegar
2 cups water
1 teaspoon alum
Sweet Pickle Brine
2 cups vinegar
2 cups water
8 cups sugar
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon pickling spices, tied in a bag

Preparation

STEP ONE: Cut cucumbers in 1/2 inch pieces or a little larger and place in a crock or large glass container. Bring the soaking brine to a boil, pour over cut cucumbers, cover with a clean cloth and weigh down with a plate. Cover crock with a clean tea towel.
Let stand three days.
STEP TWO: Drain, put back in crock and cover with fresh water. There is no salt added to this.
Let stand two days.
STEP THREE: Drain and place back in crock.
Bring the pickle solution with the alum to a boil and simmer two minutes pour over.
Stand overnight.
STEP FOUR: Drain and place back in crock. Make Sweet Pickle brine, bring to a boil and pour over. For three days drain this syrup into a large pot and bring to a boil. Pour back over the cucumber slices. The third day once again bring the syrup to a boil. Put pickles into sterilized jars, pour hot brine over and seal.
I often replace some of the cucumber pieces with cauliflower chunks, making for a mixed sweet pickle.
Makes about eight pints.