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Curing Olives

My neighbor, Doris Trucco's husband Frank, used to cure his own olives. When my Frank told her he's looking for olives to try some, she gave him this recipe.

What you need

  1. Fresh olives
  2. Lye
  3. Salt
  4. Water

How to make it

  1. Place olives in barrel or crock
  2. Day 1 - Use 4 Tbl lye to each gallon of fresh water, using enough water to cover the olives. Let stand 24 hours, then drain and rinse.
  3. Day 2 - Use 2 Tbl lye to each gallon of fresh water. Let stand 48 hours, then drain and rinse again. Change water for 5 days.
  4. Day 9 - Use 3 Tbl salt to each gallon of water. Let stand for 24 hours and drain.
  5. Day 10 - Use 4 Tbl salt to each gallon of water. Let stand for 24 hours and drain.
  6. Day 11 - Use 5 Tbl salt to each gallon of water. Let stand for 24 hours and drain.
  7. Day 12 - Use 5 Tbl salt to each gallon of water. Let stand for 24 hours. Do not drain.
  8. The olives are now ready for use.

Frank Trucco's seasonings:

  1. 1/2 orange
  2. 1 or 2 sticks cinnamon
  3. A few whole cloves
  4. Place in small pot with water and simmer for approx. 5 - 10 minutes. Strain through cheesecloth and add liquid to the olives. Tie the solids into a cheesecloth bag and add to the crock. This remains in the crock until the olives are used up.

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