Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds onions Small to medium crisp, fresh mild
  • 18 cloves
  • 18 black peppercorns
  • 3 teaspoons mustard seed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons celery seed
  • 2 cups distilled white vinegar or cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Method

  • Peel the onions and slice them 1/4-inch thick; separate the slices into rings. Divide the onion rings amongst three pint canning jars.
  • To the onions in each jar add 6 whole cloves, 6 peppercorns, 1 teaspoon mustard seed, and 1/2 teaspoon celery seed.
  • Combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, turmeric, and cinnamon in a stainless-steel or enameled saucepan. Heat to boiling, then simmer the mixture for 2 minutes. Fill the jars with the hot liquid, leaving 1/4-inch of headspace. Remove any bubbles and add more liquid if necessary.
  • If pickles are to be stored in the refrigerator, let them cool, then cover each jar with doubled plastic wrap and apply a cap; there is no need to seal the jars.
  • If the pickles are to be stored in the pantry, seal the jars with two-piece canning lids, following the manufacturer's directions and process for 10 minutes in a boiling-water bath. Cool, label and store the jars. Let the pickles mellow for at least a month before serving them.