WATERMELON RIND PICKLES

Watermelon Rind Pickles image

"Waste not, want not" has always been smart advice-especially when it produces picked watermelon rind that's so refreshing. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 4 pints.

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

8 cups sliced peeled watermelon rind (2x1-in. pieces)
6 cups water
1 cup canning salt
4 cups sugar
2 cups white vinegar
6 cinnamon sticks (3 inches), divided
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole peppercorns

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 16 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 96mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.