Grandpa Nelmer Hagens Dill Pickles

“This recipe is one that my side of the family has long used. For years I thought i twas a recipes that my mom had been given when we lived in Minnesota (66-68). Then, on a trip, while visiting my dad, my Aunt Bessie and cousin Lila stopped by and they were talking about things they remembered while growing up. Among other things, they told how my Grandpa Nelmer Hagen had always made these pickles. Apparently, he did a lot of the cooking in the house because he was disabled.” – Mama J

Grandpa Nelmer Hagens Dill Pickles

  • pickling cucumbers
  • garlic cloves
  • fresh dill
  • alum
  • grape leaves (optional, for crisper pickles)

Brine

  • 13 cups water
  • 5 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup canning/pickling salt

  1. Pack washed cucumbers tightly into wide mouth quart jars.

  2. To each jar add: a head of dill, a large clove of garlic, 1/8 tsp. alum, 1 tbsp sugar, and the grape leaf if desired.

  3. Bring brine to a boil and pour over cucumbers in jars. Cap and process 15 minutes.