Sweet Gherkins

Step 1

Wash cucumbers, blossom, ends removed. Use the littlest ones you can find!

Step 2

FIRST DAY:

Step 3

In the afternoon, place cucumbers in large bowl and cover with boiling water; let stand 6 hours or overnight.

Step 4

SECOND DAY:.

Step 5

In the morning, drain cucumbers and cover with fresh boiling water. Let stand 6 hours.

Step 6

In the afternoon, drain cucumbers; add salt; cover with fresh boiling water.

Step 7

THIRD DAY:.

Step 8

In the morning, drain cucumbers; prick with fork. Combine 3 cups of the sugar, 3 cups of the vinegar, herbs, and spices (except vanilla extract) in a pan. Heat to the boiling point and pour over cucumbers.

Step 9

In the afternoon, drain syrup mixture into a large pan; add 2 cups of the sugar and 2 more cups of the vinegar. Heat to boiling and pour over cucumbers. Cover and let stand.

Step 10

FOURTH DAY:.

Step 11

In the morning, drain syrup mixture into a large pan; add 2 cups of the sugar and 1 cup of the vinegar. Heat to boiling and pour over pickles.

Step 12

In the afternoon, prepare jars. Drain syrup mixture off pickles into large pan; add remaining 1 cup of sugar and the vanilla extract (if using) to syrup; heat to boiling. Pack pickles into clean, hot jars. cover with hot syrup leaving 1/2 inch head space; seal. Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.