How to Make Pickled Watermelon Rind

Watermelon can be enjoyed in many ways. Make pickled watermelon rind.It can be cut and quartered and enjoyed as is, or as Watermelon Smoothie to sip at the pool. Once the fruit of the whole watermelon is digested, the rind remains. Instead cutting up the rind to be fed to the garbage disposal, make a delicious side dish to accompany any meal. Cut the rind and pickle it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Watermelon
• Paring knife
• ¾ cup salt
• 9 cups sugar
• 3 cups white vinegar,
• 3 cups water,
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves and
• 6 cinnamon sticks. (Spices should be tied in a clean, thin, white cloth.)
• 1 thinly sliced lemon.

1. 
    

   Slice the watermelon. Remove the melon itself, and cut up and place on a plate to make a fruit dish. When all the melon is removed pare the rind and all pink edges from the watermelon (need 3 quarts or about 6 pounds). Cut into 1-inch squares or fancy shapes as desired. Make pickled watermelon rind and enjoy it as a side with a meat or poultry dish, or enjoy it alone.

2. Cover with brine made by mixing ¾ cup salt with 3 quarts cold water. Add 2 quarts (2 trays) of ice cubes. Let it stand for about 3 to 4 hours.

3. 
    

   Drain once again and rinse in cold water. Make pickled watermelon rind by covering with cold water and cook until fork tender for about 10 minutes (do not overcook).

4. Drain. Combine all the ingredients except the lemon slices. (Spices should be tied in a clean, thin, white cloth.)

5. 
    
   sliced lemon adds to the taste

   Boil 5 minutes and pour over the watermelon. Then add the sliced lemon. Let stand overnight in the refrigerator while you make pickled watermelon rind.

6. Heat the watermelon in the syrup until it is boiling and cook slowly for about ah hour. Pack hot pickled rind loosely into clean, hot pint jars. Add a 1-inch piece of stick cinnamon from spice bag and cover with boiling syrup to ½ inch from top to each of the jars. You are almost done making pickled watermelon rind.

7. To each jar, .

8. Remove any air bubbles that appear. Wipe each of the jar rims. Adjust the lids and process 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.

Tips & Warnings

• When selecting melons of any variety, look for quality and freshness.
• The melon rind should have good color and should not be misshapen or bruised.
• The rind should give slightly at the stem end when ripe.
• For maximum enjoyment, let melons develop flavor and juiciness by storing at room temperature.

Resources

• watermelon rinds pickled
• Watermelon cupcakes
• Watermelon smoothie
• Watermelon Surprise
• Watermelon lemonade

[kristara]

on 5/14/2009 Great recipe! Will have to try this. 5*

[Meri]

on 6/16/2008 I've always wanted a good recipe for these! Thanks. 5 stars!

[acole]

on 6/12/2008 Interesting idea. Thanks!