I've been buying one of those small round watermelons each week for the past month and have been surprised at how good they've been. I usually cut them up into bite-sized pieces and then John and I have a ready supply of nice cold watermelon (especially welcome when it's 95 degrees like it was on Friday).
I was a little disappointed when I cut this one in half; it's not the bright red of a really ripe watermelon. But it still tastes okay, and then I remembered something that Vera mentioned - pickled watermelon rind! I looked for a recipe and decided to give it a try.
I cut off the dark outer rind and then cut the rind pieces into spears, enough to fill two quart jars. Then I made the brine.
It looks a little dark and murky, thanks to the apple cider vinegar, but it smells delicious, thanks to the vanilla and pickling spices. The recipe calls for whole allspice berries but I didn't have any, so I just added an extra tablespoon of pickling spices. I doubled the brine recipe and had enough to fill both of my quart jars.
I ladled the brine into the jars, and voilà - watermelon rind pickles! You're supposed to cool and refrigerate them for at least 24 hours to let the flavors develop, so I haven't tried them yet. I'll report back when I do. The brine smelled so delicious, so I'm hoping the pickles are just as delectable. Fingers crossed!
My MIL used to make these, but she went through the whole canning process. They were delicious! I never thought about just doing a jar or two. Will have to give it a go sometime this summer. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI used to can lots of tomatoes, but that always happens during the hottest and most humid part of the year, so I really don't enjoy slaving over a hot canner! There are just two of us so making a couple of quarts and keeping them in the refrigerator makes more sense. I'm anxious to try some tonight at dinner!
DeleteOh I bet they are delicious! I'm hoping to get a better watermelon (or chunk of one) this week.
ReplyDeleteI have never had watermelon rind pickles! Hmmm, maybe I need to give this a try! I will be eagerly awaiting your thoughts after sampling them!
ReplyDeleteI've never had watermelon rind pickles either -- silly me, I always toss the rinds into the compost! I'll be eager to hear how they turn out.
ReplyDeleteOh! Those sound super tasty! If you like them, I'm going to give them a try (especially since I have the World's Greatest Pickle Lover visiting right now. . . ). We had our first watermelon of the season yesterday when we visited Brian and Lauren. I just love watermelon . . .
ReplyDeleteMy mother was a HUGE fan of watermelon rind pickles. I, not caring for either watermelon OR pickles, am not. But I do love a pickled beet!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother used to serve us watermelon rind pickles in the summer when we were kids and we loved them! I've forgotten about them and might try that recipe. I look forward to hearing how yours turn out.
ReplyDeleteI've pretty much planned dinner tonight around the watermelon rind pickles and I'm quite excited! I'll definitely report back on my taste test.
DeleteI have never had these either! Who knew? I do love watermelon but don't buy it very often because I have to eat all of it...
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother used to make these and I loved them. I hope your are as delicious as you're hoping they'll be!
ReplyDeleteI am fascinated with the idea of pickled watermelon rind. Look forward to find out how they turned out.
ReplyDeleteI love this - maybe 2023 is my year of pickles?! did you use the whole 1C sugar? (yikes, that seems like a lot!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. My grandmother used to make what she called Watermelon pickles although I can't recall eating them. Do report back. I'd be anxious to know who they tasted.
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