These pickles are very colorful and attractive on holiday table.

Peel, slice, and core 2 gallons of large cucumbers. Soak in 2 cups of lime, dissolved in 8 1/2 quarts water for 24 hours. Drain cucumber rings, wash and soak for 3 hours in ice water.

Drain; combine:

1 c. vinegar
1 oz. red food coloring
1 tbsp. powdered alum water to cover

Simmer for 2 hours. Drain. Make syrup:

2 c. vinegar
2 c. water
10 c. sugar
8 cinnamon sticks
1 (19 oz.) pkg. red hots

Bring syrup to boil and pour over pickles. For the next four days, drain, bring syrup to boil each day and pour over pickles again. On the fourth day the pretty red cucumber pickle rings should be packed in sterilized jars and covered with boiling syrup and seal.