4 pounds 3- to 4-inch pickling cucumbers
2 cups water
2 cups distilled white vinegar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup pickling salt
2 tablespoons pickling spice

Prepare 7 (1 pint) jars according to manufacturer's directions. Slice cucumbers into quarters lengthwise. Combine water, vinegar, sugar and salt in a large pan. Toss pickling spice into the liquid. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.

For Each Jar
1 fresh dill "head" with seeds
1 bay leaf
2 to 3 garlic cloves
1 small dried hot chile
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

With clean hands, pack the cucumber spears snugly in the jars. Add dill, bay leaf, garlic, chile and mustard seeds to each jar. Pour the hot liquid over the cucumbers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Process the jars in a water bath for 10 minutes. For best flavor, let the pickles sit for at least one week before serving them.