Re: [gardeners] saurkraut

Allen and Judy Merten (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Mon, 06 Jul 1998 14:27:20 -0500 

Hi Cuz,
    Here is Grandma Mertens' Kosher Dill Pickle Receipe:
12 cups water
1 cup canning salt
3 cups vinegar
1 tsp pickling spice per qt(add to each jar)
1/2 tsp dried dill weed or dill seed(add to each jar)
1 clove garlic(add to each jar)
1 small hot pepper or more according to taste(add to each jar)
    If you have fresh dill add one good sized head or several small ones to
each jar, ommiting the dried dill.
Stuff the cucumbers in each jar really tight to prevent them from floating.
add the pickling spice,garlic,pepper and dill to each jar.Adding a chunk of
onion to each jar is opptional. Pour boiling liquid into jars to within1/2 "
of the top.Tighten lids and place in boiling water in a water bath canner.
Have at least 2" of water over the top of the jars. Turn heat down to a
gentle boil. Process for 10 minutes. It takes about a week for the pickles
to be ready. For best falvor refrigerate the jar that you intend to open.
Use only cucumbers intended for pickling not the slicers like burpless. The
slicing cucumber makes a mushy pickle. The pickling cucumber will be crisp.
    Grandma was a country German girl. I believe her grandmother taught her
how to make these pickles. She was born and raised and bore her children and
raised them on the same farm. We just lost her a couple of weeks ago at age
90. I miss her very much. I intend to keep her traditions and receipes going
inorder to pass on to my grandchildren what I learned from her. I hope you
enjoy her pickles.
    Allen
    Bastrop Co.,Tx

Cousin Dede (or DeDe, depending on her mood) wrote:

> Allen wrote:
>
> > I didn't expect a Southron Belle from Altanta to know how to make
> > kraut. Laws what a surprise!
>
> Well, Cousin Allen, Chatty ain't from Atlanta; she's born and reared in
> Texas and I'll bet her MaPat will be saying words about 'Kraut seeing as
> she's living in Fredericksburg, only town in Texas where the farm
> report is read in German over the radio.
>
> Shure would take it kindly if you tell us how you make them pickles you
> mentioned. I'd bet your granny's recipe is mighty good.
>
> You take care,
> Cousin Dede.