Candied Cucumber Rings (Great Use For Oversized Cucumbers) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 gallons cucumbers, rings peeled and seeded
2 cups pickling lime
3 cups vinegar
1 ounce red food coloring
1 tablespoon alum
10 cups sugar
8 cinnamon sticks
1 (12 ounce) bag red cinnamon candies

Preparation

Remember to use a non reactive cooking pot when doing this recipe. The metal will react with the lime and turn everything BLACK.
Combine cucumber rings, lime and 8 1/2 quarts of water in large container; let stand for 24 hours.
Drain, then rinse in clear water. Cover with water; let stand 3 hours; then drain.
Place cucumbers in large kettle; add 1 cup vinegar, food coloring, alum, and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 hours and drain.
Combine remaining 2 cups vinegar, 2 cups water, sugar, cinnamon and candy in large saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring until sugar in dissolved. Pour over cucumbers; let stand 24 hours.
Drain, reserving syrup. Bring syrup to a boil; pour over cucumbers. Let stand for 24 hours.
Drain, reserving syrup. Bring syrup to a boil; pour over cucumbers. Let stand for 24 hours. *This is the last day of soaking.
After last day of soaking then heat syrup and cucumbers. Pack into hot sterilized jars, covering cucumbers with syrup, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Cover with sterilized lids and bands screwing bands tight.