Cinnamon Cucumber Rings

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon large cucumbers, sliced 1/4-inch thick and seeded to form rings
• 1 cup lime
• Water to cover
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon alum
• 1 cup white vinegar
• Red hot sauce:
• 2 cups vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 7 cups sugar
• 1 cup red hot candies
• 4 sticks cinnamon

Directions:

1. Add lime to sliced cucumbers with water to cover.
2. Let stand 24 hours.
3. Rinse cucumbers and let stand 3 hours in cold water to cover with ice added.
4. Drain.
5. Place cucumber rings in a large pot.
6. Add 1 teaspoon red food coloring, 1 teaspoon alum, 1 cup vinegar and enough water to cover the cucumbers; stir gently to distribute coloring evenly.
7. Bring to a simmer; do not boil.
8. Simmer 2 hours.
9. While cucumbers simmer, make red hot syrup by mixing 2 cups vinegar, water, sugar, red hots and cinnamon sticks.
10. Heat until candy dissolves.
11. Drain cucumbers, pour syrup over pickles and let stand overnight.
12. Next morning, heat cucumbers and syrup to a simmer then pack into hot, sterile jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace in each jar.
13. Remove air bubbles.
14. Adjust 2-piece caps.
15. Process 15 minutes in a boiling water canner.