The fruit should be gathered just as it is beginning to ripen, and
needs to be perfectly sound, as any bruised or decaying ones would
most likely spoil the whole, and, what is worse, the loss is not
discoverable till a long time after. Let them lie covered over with
a pickle of bay salt and water, one and a half pounds to the gallon,
for three or four days, according to size; take them out and, wiping
them separately, lay them in jars, and pour over them, when cold, this
pickle:
Mace, beaten fine ½ oz.
Cloves, beaten fine ½ oz.
Nutmeg, beaten fine ½ oz.
Ginger, sliced 1 oz.
Garlic, minced ½ oz.
White-wine vinegar 1 gallon
It must be boiled fifteen minutes and skimmed well. Fill the jars so as
to cover the fruit completely with the pickle. Tie bladder and leather
over, and keep them eight or nine months. They will be very rich and
choice pickles.