It’s watermelon season! If you love big flavors and hate food waste, make watermelon rind pickles! 👩🍳they are easy and you’re gonna love that flavor bomb!
Ingredients:
- 4 cups watermelon rind (peeled and cubed)
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice berries
- Optional: 1 small piece of ginger (sliced)
Instructions:
- Start by preparing the watermelon rind. Peel the green skin and remove any remaining red flesh. Cut the rind into bite-sized cubes or strips.
- In a large pot, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, cinnamon stick, cloves, allspice berries, and ginger (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the watermelon rind to the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rind becomes slightly translucent and tender. Stir occasionally during this process.
- Once the rind is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. This will allow the flavors to infuse into the pickles.
- Once cooled, transfer the watermelon rind and the pickling liquid into sterilized jars. Make sure the rind is fully submerged in the liquid. If needed, you can weigh it down with a clean, small plate or a canning weight.
- Seal the jars tightly and refrigerate for at least 24 hours to let the flavors develop. The pickles will continue to improve in flavor over time.
- Enjoy your homemade watermelon rind pickles as a delicious accompaniment to sandwiches, burgers, salads, or as a tangy snack on their own!
Note: These pickles should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a few weeks. If you want to store them longer, just heat process them in a large pot or canner for 10 minutes!
I hope you enjoy making and savoring your watermelon rind pickles!