Watermelon Rind Pickles

pinokeeo · 08-12-2010, 06:08 PM

So, I finally got around to making the watermelon rind pickles. I took a few pictures along the way, so you can see how they change.

Here's what you'll need:

1 watermelon rind
1 cup pickling salt
2 quarts cold water
1 tablespoon whole cloves
5 3-inch cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon whole allspice
6 cups granulated sugar
4 cups distilled white vinegar
2 cups water
5 oranges thinly slices and seeded
6 3-inch cinnamon sticks, optional

Remove the hard rind and as much of the red as possible. Cut pieces about 1 1/2 inches long.

Measure 4 quarts of rind and put it in a crock. I use my crockpot bowl. It holds exactly 4 quarts.

Dissolve salt in 2 quarts cold water and pour over rind. Keep rind fully covered and soak for 8 hours or overnight. I put a plate under the lid to hold the rind down into the brine.

Prepare 6 pint jars and keep them hot until needed. Prepare lids as manufacturer suggests.

Drain and rinse rind thoroughly with cold running water.

In a large kettle, cover rind with water and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes or until rind is crisp-tender. (Not mushy). Drain thoroughly and set aside.

Wash kettle. Tie Cloves, cinnamon and allspice in cheesecloth.

pinokeeo · 08-12-2010, 06:10 PM

In washed kettle combine spice bag, sugar, vinegar and 2 cups water. Heat to boiling and cook five minutes or until mixture starts to thicken.

While that's cooking, I slice my oranges. I use valencias. I think they have the best flavor.

Add rind and orange slices to syrup mixture and simmer for 15 minutes or until watermelon pieces are translucent. Remove from heat and discard spice bag. Let rind pieces cool in syrup to plump them up.

Bring back to boiling. Your mixture should look like this.

Pack melon pieces and orange slices into hot jars. Add one cinnamon stick, if desired. I didn't do this. It was already spicy enough for me. Cover with boiling syrup, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rims, seal and process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

When you're done, you should have something that looks like this, or similar.

I got eight jars out of mine, but yours will probably be a little different, depending on the size of jar you use.

DoilyMania · 08-12-2010, 07:14 PM

What is taste like? Is there anything similar in taste?

pinokeeo · 08-12-2010, 07:17 PM

It's kind of a tangy sweet taste. It's really hard to explain, but they taste like sweet pickles with oranges in them.

jessicalee · 08-12-2010, 08:29 PM

Great tut!

Are you going to submit this in the August challenge? You should.

pinokeeo · 08-13-2010, 12:05 AM

Do you think I should? I never even thought about entering it.

My partner is already trying to convince me that I need to be thinking about this stuff for next year's county fair.

Maybe I'll put up a couple of photos just for fun.

jessicalee · 08-13-2010, 11:36 AM

I think it fits summer perfect