Nancy Berg Pickles

From Leslee: Grandma’s childhood friend, Nancy Berg, was legendary for her fudge and her pickles. She generously shared both with our family and they were delicious. Unfortunately, I was never able to get her fudge recipe, but I did get her to show me how to make pickles. They are delicious and keep for months in the fridge.

From Marm: Mom knew how much I liked Nancy’s pickles and she was determined to bring me a batch once when she and Dad flew to Worcester. Dad was equally adamant that she not bring them. But you know Mom wasn’t going to let that stop her. When he wasn’t looking, she tucked a Tupperware container of the pickles into the tote bag she carried on board the plane and stowed it on top of Dad’s sport coat in the overhead luggage bin. During the flight the Tupperware top came loose and pickle juice soaked into Dad’s jacket. That set off bickering that continued for much of their visit. It was the last I saw of Nancy’s pickles.

12 small cukes

2 onions

2 green peppers

1 red pepper

8 T pickling salt

Don’t peel, but slice the cukes and onions, thinly. Combine with peppers in a large container and add 8 T. pickling salt. Let stand overnight. Drain well and pat dry between layers of paper towel. Do not rinse Mix 2 cups cider vinegar with 2 and one-half cup sugar Put pickle mixture in clean, boiled jars, half full. Pour cider mixture over the top. Cover and store in fridge.