Pickled Watermelon Rind
(from Lucianolinda’s recipe box)
Source: mother's old cook book (hand written)
Categories: pickles
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. watermelon rind
- 2 cups vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 4 cups sugar
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 1 tsp. whole cloves
- 1 tsp. whole allspice
- 1 lemon, sliced thin
- Big batch:
- Rind from 2large watermelons
- Salt
- 2 quarts cider vinegar
- 4 lbs. (9 cups) sugar
- 2 Tbsp. each whole cloves and allspice
- 1 piece fresh or dried gingerroot
- two 2 inch cinnamon sticks
- 1 lemon, sliced thin
Directions
- Trim off green skin and pink meat from watermelon rind, and remove all pink portion. Cut rind into pieces 3 × 1 inch and 1/2 inch thick or 3/4 to 1 inch cubes. Weigh for 2 cups, or measure 4 quarts for big batch.
- Soak rind overnight in brine made by dissolving 1/4 cup salt in each quart water.
- Drain rind, wash in fresh water and drain. Cook rind in fresh water until tender. Drain in colander.
- Combine remaining ingredients and boil together 5 minutes. Add rind, a few pieces at a time and cook until rind is clear. Pack rind in hot sterilized jars, cover with boiling syrup and seal.
-
makes 2 pints or 4 pints for big batch
-
Spices may be tied in a cheesecloth bag, if desired.
-
Cantaloupe rind, pumpkin or winter squash may be cut into pieces and pickled in the same way. or slice green tomatoes and use salt instead of brine.