Southern Maine Garden Club met recently at the Trafton Center in Sanford for a special presentation on preparing Christmas Pickles to give as gifts.  The presenter was Cindy Simon, a healthy lifestyle coach, who conducts various classes at the Trafton Center. 

Cindy told attendees this was a family recipe and she enjoyed sharing it around the holidays – below is the recipe:

 Aunt Ginny’s Christmas Pickle Recipe

10 ripe cucumbers

3 ½ lbs. of sugar

½ tsp oil of cloves

½ tsp oil of cinnamon

1 pint white vinegar

2 (8 oz) jars maraschino cherries with juice

 Peel cucumbers and cut into slices.  Cover with boiling water and cook until tender. Drain. Mix sugar, spices and vinegar, bring to a boil. Add cucumbers, cherries and juice. Heat and seal  tightly in canning jars after they have been cleaned in their hot water bath.

 Voila – a holiday colored canning jar of green  and red just in time for giving.

 SMGC meets throughout the year at the Springvale Public Library on the third Wednesday of every month beginning at 6:30 p.m.  (unless otherwise noted).  The public is invited to attend to sample a meeting.  The next meeting will be on Wednesday, Jan.  18,  and the topic will be “Who are Master Gardeners” with speaker is Susan Tkacik, Master Gardener from University of Southern Maine. FMI  contact  Paula Frodyma at 207-475-8142 or  Donna Claveau at 603-332-4860.