Pickles Before the 4th of July

I don't think I've ever pickled so early in the season before. Today, Jeff and I canned 8 pints of Bread and Butter Pickles!

I picked cukes and from those selected ones of similar size. Jeff washed them and I sliced them.

The sliced pickles went into a big bowl along with sliced onions. Some garlic went in on top to flavor, but was to be picked out later. I sprinkled on the pickling salt and covered it all with ice and it went into the fridge for 3 hours.

I like to prep everything in advance.

The jars were sterilized in the dishwasher, the big canning pot was brought to a boil and the cuke mixture was drained and put in a stock pot to be brought to a boil with the seasonings. A smaller pot on a back burner held hot water for the lids.

A peek in the pickle pot showing the cukes getting the distinctive color.

I didn't get a picture of filling the canning jars as that is a busy stage and has to be quick and sterile. Here's a close up of the finished pickles!

I'll probably make a few more batches this summer, so I have plenty to give away to family at Christmastime and some for us to eat too.