Canning, canning and more canning!

So last year was the first time I canned anything in my entire life, I guess I figured canning was an old lady thing to do....and last year when mom asked me to can with her I said sure why not, how hard could it be?
Well after hours of hard work and 3 dozen cans of spicy dilly beans later I thought for sure I would never can another thing in my life. Until the day I opened up one of those cans and enjoyed the fruits of my labor.....OMG! As my sister would say, they were amazing and until I ate the last jar this year I decided to brave it once again and start what would later become an obsession if you will, something I would enjoy doing, something for me and so it starts....this week spicy dill's and spicy green beans.

Spicy Dills
Ingredients


8 pounds 3 to 4 inch long pickling cucumbers

4 cups white vinegar

12 cups water

2/3 cup pickling salt

2 - 3 cloves garlic per jar, peeled and halved,

3 - 4 sprigs of dill per jar

1 -2 chili peppers per jar

Directions

Wash cucumbers, and place in the sink (I use the bathtub!) with cold water and lots of ice cubes. Soak in ice water for at least 2 hours but no more than 8 hours. Refresh ice as required. Sterilize 8 (1 quart) canning jars and lids in boiling water for at least 10 minutes.

In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine the vinegar, water, and pickling salt. Bring the brine to a rapid boil.

In each jar, place 2 half-cloves of garlic, 2 - 3 sprigs of dill, 1 - 2 chili peppers then enough cucumbers to fill the jar (about 1 pound). Then add 2 more garlic halves. Fill jars with hot brine. Seal jars, making sure you have cleaned the jar's rims of any residue.

Process sealed jars in a boiling water bath. Process quart jars for 15 minutes.

Store pickles for a minimum of 8 weeks before eating. Refrigerate after opening. Pickles will keep for up to 2 years if stored in a cool dry place
 

I'll post the spicy green beans later:)