Susans Pink Watermelon Pickles Not Rind Recipes

SUSAN'S PINK WATERMELON PICKLES (NOT RIND)

Steps:

• Bring mixture to a boil.
• Meanwhile, in a mason jar, put a few sprigs of dill and fill jar the rest of the way with bite sized pink watermelon pieces. Then put a few more sprigs of dill on top.
• Pour hot, boiled mixture over the watermelons and seal steam.
• Before eating be sure to refrigerate overnight, and eat cold.

WATERMELON RIND PICKLES

Steps:

• Place rind in a large nonreactive bowl; stir in water and salt. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Rinse and drain well., In a Dutch oven, mix sugar, vinegar, 2 cinnamon sticks, cloves and peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Add rinds; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes or until tender. Discard cinnamon sticks., Carefully ladle hot mixture into 4 hot 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Add a remaining cinnamon stick to each jar. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

WATERMELON PICKLES

Steps:

• Trim the green skin and any pink flesh from the rind. Cut enough rind into 1-inch cubes to measure 7 cups and place in a nonreactive bowl. Dissolve the salt in 4 cups cold water, and pour over the rind to cover. (If more brine is needed, use the same proportion of salt to water.) Submerge the rind with a heavy plate and soak it overnight in the refrigerator.
• Drain and rinse rind well with cold water. Place it in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Cook just until tender when pierced with a fork, about 10 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain.
• Combine the sugar, vinegar and spices with 1 cup water in a 2-quart saucepan and heat to boiling. Simmer for 10 minutes and strain into a 6- or 8-quart nonreactive pan. Add the rind, lemon slices and cherries and simmer until rind is translucent, about 10 minutes (do not overcook).
• Have several hot, sterilized 12-ounce or pint-size canning jars and their lids and a hot-water bath ready. Fill the jars with the rind and their syrup, leaving a 1/2-inch head space. Seal the lids and process according to the jar manufacturer's directions.

PICKLED WATERMELON RINDS

Steps:

• In a glass bowl, stir together the water and salt until the salt has dissolved. Add the watermelon rinds and any additional water needed to cover them. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
• Drain the watermelon rinds from the salted water, and place into a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Cover with fresh water, then place over high heat and bring to a boil. Boil rinds for 30 minutes, then drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, tie the cloves, mustard seed, and cinnamon sticks in a piece of cheesecloth. Place into a large saucepan or Dutch oven along with the vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, then remove from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes. Stir in the drained watermelon rind, then return to the stove over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until the rind is transparent and the syrup is slightly thickened, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove and discard the spices after 40 minutes. Stir in the food coloring if desired.
• Ladle into hot sterilized 1 pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Seal jars with new lids and rings, making sure you have cleaned the jar's rims of any residue. Process jars under 1 inch of water in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Let cool overnight, then press down on the lids to make sure they are sealed before storing. Store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and enjoy those first.