English Cucumber and Ginger Conserve

ENGLISH CUCUMBER & GINGER CONSERVE 4 large English cucumbers 8 cups sugar 1 piece ginger root (the size of a lemon)

Peel and thinly slice the cucumbers, cover with sugar and let stand for 24 hours.

Strain the cucumber juice and sugar into a preserving kettle, reserving the cucumber slices, and simmer the juice gently until the sugar dissolves. Tie the ginger into a cheesecloth bag and bruise it with a hammer. Add the bag to the syrup and boil for 45 minutes.

Add the cucumber slices and boil for ten minutes. Leave mixture in the preserving kettle and let it stand, covered, for 12 hours.

Boil the mixture hard for 15 minutes; remove and discard the ginger. Ladle the conserve into hot, sterilized jars and seal immediately. Delicious, crunchy conserve. MAKES 12 half-pints

NOTE: You may want add 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes to the ginger in the bag for a little extra kick.

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 * Catsrecipes Y-Group