In a Facebook conversation with Robin, the subject of pickled okra came up. I used to buy okra by the bushel at the Georgia State Farmers Market and make up dozens of jars of this stuff for my ex-husband. These were his absolute favorite snack.
Here's a pretty close approximation of what I used to make every summer:
Makes three pints:
1-1/2 to 2 pounds small, tender okra pods
3 cloves garlic, peeled
3 hot peppers, whole
3 tsp. canning salt
3 tsp. dill seed
3 tbsp. mixed pickling spices
3/4 tsp. whole peppercorns
1-1/2 cups white vinegar
1-1/2 cups water
Sterilize three pint jars and two-piece canning lids. Wash the okra in cold water. Trim the cut ends only if necessary. Peel the garlic cloves, but leave it whole.
To each sterile jar add 1 teaspoon of canning salt, 1 whole garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of dill seed, 1 tablespoon of mixed pickling spices, one hot pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of whole peppercorns.
Into sterile pint jars, pack as many pods of okra as possible with the tips pointing up. Finish packing the jars as fully as possible with additional okra, tips down, fitting the pods in tightly but taking care not to crush the okra.
Bring the vinegar and water to a boil. Fill jars with the vinegar and water mixture to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Place the lids and rings on the jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Remove the jars from the canner and allow them to cool completely. Let the pickles sit for at least 2 weeks (longer if you can stand the wait) to achieve the best flavor.