5 qt. or 3 inch gherkins
1/2 c. pickling salt
1/2 fennel (optional)
2 tsp. whole mixed pickling spice
2 tsp. celery seed
2 tsp. vanilla (optional)
Approximately 5 lb. fresh cucumbers
8 c. sugar
6 c. vinegar
3/4 tsp. turmeric
8 (1 inch) cinnamon sticks

Day 1 - Morning: Water gherkins, place in large containers. Cover cucumbers with boiling water. Afternoon: Repeat above boiling water process.

Day 2 - Boil fresh water - drain cucumbers and cover again with boiling water. Afternoon: Drain and add salt to fresh water. Boil and cover cucumbers.

Day 3 - Boil fresh water - drain, prick cucumbers with fork. Make syrup of 3 cups sugar, 3 cups vinegar, add turmeric and spices. Heat to boiling point and pour over cucumbers. Afternoon: Drain syrup in pan, add 2 more cups sugar and 2 cups vinegar. Heat to boiling pint and pour over pickles.

Day 4 - Drain syrup in pan, add 2 cups sugar, 1 cup vinegar. Heat to boiling pint, pour over pickles. Afternoon: Drain syrup in pan. Add 1 cup sugar, pack in pints with lids. Process 5 minutes in boiling bath.