After eating the watermelon, scoop out any remaining flesh and set it aside for your treat.
Prepare the Pickles
Peel and cut watermelon rind. Rinse in water.
Bring a quart of water and 1/2 cup of salt to a boil. Remove from the heat, and put in a large bowl with the rinds. Place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
Drain rinds well. Boil for 10 minutes in another quart of water. Drain and set aside. Put spices into a tea ball. If you don't have a tea ball, clean pantyhose will work just fine.
Bring a quart of water to the boil and add vinegar, sugar, and spices. Boil until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Add rind and cook for about 45 minutes or until the rind is clear. Remove spices. Put in quart mason jars, then pour liquid to about a half an inch from the top. Seal and process in a hot water bath for 30 minutes, or until you hear the jars pop.
How to Process
To process, first put the jars and rings into a pot so they are not touching the bottom. A pasta pot with an insert works fine for this if you do not have a canner. Put water in the jars so they do not float around. Bring them to a boil, and let them sit in the hot water until you are ready to fill them. Remove them from the water, fill, and put back in the pot, in the same hot water. You will know when they are ready when you have heard all the jars “pop”. Remove from the heat, and let them sit in the water until they are cool enough to touch. You can store them at this point. They must be refrigerated once they are open. You may reuse the jar and ring, but not the seal.
Notes
I make these pickles every year and give them out as Christmas gifts. Watermelon Rind pickles are particularly good with pork and chicken.
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