Weekly Obsession - Pickle Party

I have fallen for pickling - hard. I have invested in a large processing pot and enough jars and grosgrain ribbon to open a store. I decided to start my pickling adventure with the classic cucumbers - my coworker is very pregnant and I thought it would make a cute gift. She'll have to provide her own ice cream!

1. Bring 4 cups rice vinegar, 2 cups water, and 3 tbs salt to a boil in a medium pot, stirring the salt to dissolve.

2. Fill 8 sterilized jars with 2 tbs minced garlic, 2 tbs grated fresh ginger, and 1 thai chile.

3. Cut 6 lbs of cucumbers and tightly pack each jar.

4. Pour in boiling brine, leaving 1/2 inch headspace, making sure the cucumbers are submerged in the brine.

5. Check for air bubbles, wipe the rims, and seal. Process for 10 minutes.

6. After the jars have processed turn off the heat and wait for the water to stop bubbling before removing the jars. Place the jars on a cooling rack and leave them until they are cool to the touch.