Watermelon Rind Pickles

I've always wanted to try watermelon rind pickles.  This past week end was the perfect opportunity to do so.  I had just cut up a whole watermelon for my granddaughter's graduation party and I had a little time, so I thought what the heck.  I checked out the internet for recipes and I found this recipe.... I had all the ingredients and the necessary equipment to make them so I went for it.  Well, they turned out great!  My husband absolutely loves them!

Watermelon Rind Pickles

Ingredients:
2 pounds watermelon rind
1/4 cup pickling salt
4 cups water
2 cups sugar
1 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon broken stick cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves
1/2 lemon, thinly sliced
5 maraschino cherries, halved, optional

Preparation:

1. Trim the dark green and pink parts from watermelon rind. Cut rind in 1-inch cubes and measure 7 cups. 
2. Soak watermelon rind overnight in a mixture of the pickling salt and water. If it takes more to cover, use the same proportion salt to water. 
3. Drain and rinse watermelon rind. Cover rind with cold water in a large saucepan; cook just until tender.
4. Meanwhile, in a 6 to 8-quart kettle or Dutch oven, combine sugar, vinegar, cinnamon, whole cloves, and 1 cup water. 
5. Simmer mixture 10 minutes, then strain. 
6. Add drained watermelon rind, lemon slices, and maraschino cherries, if using. Simmer the mixture until watermelon rind is translucent. 
7. Fill hot half-pint jars with watermelon rind and syrup mixture, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Adjust lids. Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes.

Makes 2 1/2 pints.

Thanks to the Spruce for a great recipe!

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 Also here is a list of tools that you will need...the list is really pretty short...

1. Canner- these can be purchased at any discount store, hardware store or Amazon.com
2. Glass Kerr jars can also be purchased at any discount store, hardware store or Amazon.com
3. Here are the tools and equipment you will need to start canning...

These products are also available on 

Click on images for more information...

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For those of you that are just starting your canning experience, here's a video that might help you out.

Canning 101

It's so much fun sharing great recipes and craft ideas in a post. There's something very gratifying to share something that you love to do. 

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I, like millions of others, collect "Pins" on Pinterest. I pin recipes and crafts that really interest me. I love pinning so much, that I have over 13,000 pins. You could call me the "Pinning Queen"...LOL! You can visit my "Canning Board" for more great canning recipes.

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Well, another post ready to go.  All updated with lots of good information and a recipe to try!

Always remember..."Life's short, eat dessert first!" Words to live by...