Crisp Pickled Watermelon Rind Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

1. Peel and remove all the green and pink portions from the rind of a large watermelon.
2. Cut the rind into cubes or slices and measure 4 quarts.
3. Drop the rind into a kettle of boiling water, boil for 5 minutes, and drain.
4. Cool.
5. Dissolve 4 T Slaked lime (obtainable at your drugstore) in 2 quarts cold water Pour the solution over the watermelon rind and let rind stand for 3 hours.
6. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
7. Cover the rind with clear cold water, bring to a boil and boil until the rind is tender.
8. Combine 2 cups sugar, 1 cup vinegar, and 4 cups water.
9. Add 2 T each of whole allspice and whole cloves, 4 sticks cinnamon and 2 pieces of ginger root, all tied in a bag.
10. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.
11. Add the rind and 2 hot peppers, bring agin to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes.
12. Let the rind stand in the syrup in a cool place for 12 to 24 hours.
13. Add 3 Cups vinegar and 2-4 cups sugar according to taste, bring to a boil and simmer until the rind is transparent.
14. If the syrup becomes too thick before the rind is clear, add 1/2 cup hot water from time to time as needed.
15. Discard the spice bag, pack the rind and the boiling-hot syrup into hot jars and seal.
16. Makes 8 Pints.