This is the recipe my family has been using for gosh knows how many decades. The key I think is to use freshly picked cucumbers, straight to the ice bath. And fresh dill as well, of course. I like it because it is easy to scale from 6 down to 1 quart, or anything between. Looks similar to Chase's, except 2/1 ratio on water/vinegar. * Exported from MasterCook * Brad's Garlic Dill Pickles Recipe By : Brad Lucht Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :1:00 Categories : Canning Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 24 pickling cucumbers -- * see note 12 cups water 6 cups white vinegar 1 cup pickling salt -- rounded 12 heads fresh dill 12 cloves garlic -- cut in half This recipe will make 6-8 quarts, depending upon size of cucumbers. If more than 6 quarts, increase amount of dill and garlic required. Wash cucumbers and remove 1/16-inch from blossom end. Place in a 5-gallon bucket with cold water and lots of ice cubes. Soak in ice water for at least 4 hours but no more than 8 hours. Refresh ice as required. Fill enamel canner with water and bring to a gentle boil; this will take at least an hour. Boil canning jars in canner. Process lids in simmering water for at least 10 minutes. Do not boil lids, as this will compromise the rubber seal. All we want to do is soften the seal. Combine water, vinegar and pickling salt in a large stock pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. This will take 20-30 minutes. Make sure pot is covered so that solution does not evaporate. When mixture has come to a boil, remove a jar from the boiling water, making sure all water has drained from the jar. Place 2 half-cloves of garlic and 1 head of dill in the jar. Add 3-4 cucumbers, leaving 1-inch headspace. Top with an additional 2 half-cloves of garlic and another head of dill. Using a canning funnel, fill the jar with hot vinegar mixture, leaving ½-inch headspace. If necessary, wipe jar top and threads clean. Place hot lid on jar and screw on ring a little more than finger tight. Place jar on rack to cool. You should hear the "ping" of the seal within a couple minutes. Repeat with remaining ingredients. After jars have cooled, test seals. Write date of canning on lid using Sharpie. Store in cool, dark place for at least 6-8 weeks. Refrigerate after opening. Pickles will keep for up to 2 years if stored in a cool dry place. This recipe will give a much crisper pickle than those processed with a hot water bath for 15-30 minutes. [Scale recipe as needed. 1/6 cup canning salt = 8 tsp] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NOTES : *about 4 inches long

Floating is usually not a safety issue. It simply means that air was still trapped in the vegetable pieces. Over time, assuming it was processed correctly, they will sink. But slimy can be a serious problem as it is often indicative of too low acid brine (too little vinegar) and the food should not be consumed. The problem okra is often slimy naturally, especially if overly mature when harvested. So there is no way to know if the slimy results was from the okra or the too-low-acidity. To be safe I would recommend tossing them. " Are these ingredients good enough to can 1 quart of okra I'm using canning salt, garlic, ( ball) kosher dill pickle mix , and some (ball) mixed pickling spice, and the okra. These are the ingredients I have as of now. I know nothing at all." There are many tested and approved recipes for making pickled okra and when one is new to canning only those tested and approved recipes should be used. In all cases the amounts that can be added are limited to the specific amounts in the recipe - no additions. In other words the Ball Kosher Dill Pickle Mix is safe to use IF you follow the instructions on the label. I don't have a packet of it to check butyou would use only the packet mix, and the vinegar and water it calls for and the okra. No additional pickling spices or salt can be added unless the instructions call for them. I doubt they do as the salt and all the spices should already be in the mix in the packet. As for quarts - only if the instructions call for quarts. Normally such instructions are for pints only and you can never go to a larger jar than what is in the instructions as it creates safety issues in the pH and the processing time required. If you want to use an approved recipe for Pickled Okra instead use this one. http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_06/pickled_dill_okra.html Dave

Let's see if I can help. 1. Here's the recipe I use, makes nice crunchy dills. Kosher Dill Pickles (Heinz Recipe) You can easily keep your brine in the fridge and use as needed. I use this recipe and like it fine. It makes a small batch. Kosher Dill (Heinz Recipe) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 lbs pickling cukes 14 cloves garlic, peeled & split 1/4 cup salt 3 cups distilled or apple cider vinegar 5% acidity 3 cups water 12-14 sprigs fresh dill weed 28 peppercorns Wash cucumbers; cut in half lengthwise. Combine garlic and next 3 ingredients; heat to boiling. Remove garlic and place 4 halves into each clean jar, then pack cucumbers, adding 2 sprigs of dill and 4 peppercorns. Pour hot vinegar solution over cucumbers to within 1/2 inch of top. Immediately adjust covers as jar manufacturer directs. Process 10 minutes in BWB. Makes 6-7 pints. 2. Jar size is up to you. Process 15 minutes for quarts? Linda Lou may jump in and tell us it only needs to be 10 minutes??!!?!? 3. Use 5% vinegar (Can't comment on 7% as I've never seen it) 4. You may want to use bottled water for best results. 5. Hot water bath, no need to pressure can and it will make mushy pickles. Have fun! Deanna

It's way too late to reprocess them now so ultimately the choice will be yours. I'd give them a 7 out of 10 for safety. I'd be inclined to keep a jar or 2 and put them in the fridge and toss the rest simply because they are minimum vinegar and under-processed. But that's me. If you decide to keep them then mark the jars for short term storage only and quick use and that may be difficult unless you eat a LOT of pickles (which is why making them in pints is recommended). And make a note to yourself on the instructions for future reference. ;-) Dave