Zesty Zucchini Pickles

Total Time: 3 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients

• 10 cups zucchini, 1/4 slices on a diagonal
• 1 large onion, peeled, halved and sliced
• 6 red jalapenos, sliced into strips
• 1/2 cup pickling salt
• 6 cups vinegar
• 4 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons mustard seeds
• 2 teaspoons celery seeds
• 1 teaspoon dill seed
• 1 teaspoon lovage seeds (optional)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile, flakes (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a large stainless steel bowl layer the first 3 ingredients sprinkle all the salt on the veggies. top with cold water and set aside for 2-3 hours.
• 2 drain into a colander and rinse well under running cold water.drain well.
• 3 in a large stainless steel pot add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil stirring to dissolve sugar. gentle boil for 10 minutes. cover and let infuse for 1 hour.
• 4 prep your jars i used 6 - 8 ounce jars. and prepare the water bath.
• 5 bring the infused vinegar to a boil.
• 6 add the drained veggies bring to a boil and for 5 minutes.
• 7 pack into jars leaving 1/2 head space.
• 8 remove air bubbles and ladle the hot liquid to leave 1/2 inch head space.
• 9 wipe rims clean and top with lids and bands. screw to finger tip tight.
• 10 place jars in boiling water bath with at least 1 inch covering the jars.
• 11 bring back to a boil , cover and boil for 15 minutes.
• 12 turn of flame remove lid and rest for 5 minutes.
• 13 remove jars without tipping and place in a draft free place till cool.
• 14 remove bands and store in a cool dark place.