LABOR OF LOVE

A lady at work had been bringing in fresh squash...lots of fresh squash, for the past 2 weeks.  Miss Polly had already put up some 20 pints of pickles.  We both had several 2 pound bags in our freezer for making squash casseroles.  My arm was feeling better.  So, I decided I should bite the bullet and make pickles with the Friday squash. 

It is a labor of love!

Start with squash, peppers, onion...

...slice them up and cover with salt.  Let stand for 1 hour. (This dehydrates them so they will soak up the sweet pickling juice)

Heat vinegar, sugar, mustard seed and celery seed in dutch oven (you can also see my jars getting sterilized in the pot on the left back burner).  Add squash and bring to a boil.

Last step, seal in hot, sterilized jars (hardest part)!  So, here is my bounty after 3 and 1/2 hours, two batches of cooking....and I have 8 pints!

Yeah, you might say, "Wow, a whole 8 pints...not really worth it, LL."  But these pickles, you can't buy, and if you have ever tasted them, you know how absolutely delicious they are!  It is like I have my own little treasure!

Happy Monday!

P.S.  Update on the Boo.....she will be home THURSDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!