1 c. pickling lime
4 1/2 qt. water
1 gallon sliced and peeled cukes (or cut in sticks)
1/2 c. vinegar
1 1/2 bottle red food coloring (about 2 oz. - I use 1/2 bottle)
1/2 tsp. alum
1 c. vinegar
5 c. sugar
1 (10 oz.) pkg. red hot candy
1 c. water
4 sticks cinnamon

Cut cukes in strips or ring pickles; do not use seeds. Mix lime and water to cover. Let stand 24 hours. Wash and drain and let stand in cold water for 3 hours. Then drain.

Combine 1/2 cup vinegar, red dye, alum, pickles and enough water to cover. Simmer for 2 hours and drain. Combine 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, 5 cups sugar, cinnamon sticks and red hots. Heat to boiling and pour over cukes.

Drain and reheat the syrup three times, letting cukes each time soak for 24 hours. The last time, arrange the pickles in hot sterilized jars, pour juice over them and seal. You can slice and cut out centers like apple rings instead of sticks. They look like apple rings.