Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      c             asparagus -- pieces or spears
     1/2  c             boiling water
          tbsp          sugar
     1/2  tsp           salt
     1/8  tsp           pepper
     1/2  c             white vinegar
   1      clove         garlic
     1/8  tsp           dried dill -- if desired

Preparation:

Combine boiling water, sugar, salt, and pepper, stir to dissolve. Add vinegar. Chill. Wash asparagus, remove bottom scales. Break at tender part of stalk, cut into 1 1/2" lengths if desired. Blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes (3 minutes for stalks). Immerse in ice water and cool thoroughly. Pack into sterilized pint jars; add garlic clove and dill. Cover with cold pickling solution. Refrigerate and use within two days. Keep refrigerated. Or you can cover with hot picklng solution to within 1" of top and process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes for pints. This recipe makes 1 pint.