Grandma Miles' Lime Pickles

Simply the best. :)

7 pounds of cucumbers sliced, not peeled

Dissolve 2 cups of lime in 2 gallons of water and soak cucumbers in the water for 24 hours. Wash thoroughly several times. Let stand 3 hours in cold water. Drain well. (Do not use a metal pan. The lime is not nice to metal. An old-fashioned pottery crock is best for soaking.)


Bring the following to a boil and pour over the cucumbers and let set overnight:


2 quarts vinegar
1 tsp. whole cloves 
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 tablespoon salt
4 pounds of sugar


(put the cloves and celery seed in a cheesecloth bag to keep the cloves from leaving dark spots on the cucumbers and to remove them easier before canning)


Reheat cucumbers and fluid til the fluid is clear (20-30 minutes) and water bath can.