Peel onions and soak in salt solution overnight. Use 1 part to 9 parts water. Dissolve salt before pouring over onions. Drain and cover with cold water. Leave one hour then drain.

For two quarts of onion use 1 quart vinegar and add 1/2 cup sugar. Dissolve sugar in vinegar. Add onions, bring to a hard boil. Put onions in jar, add 1/2 pod hot pepper, 1 teaspoon celery seed, 1 teaspoon mustard seed, 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves, 1/2 bay leaf. Boil vinegar again, pour over onions and seal. Let season 2 weeks. Chill and serve.