Watermelon Rind Pickles

Watermelon Rind Pickles

Peel rind from large watermelon you can leave on a bit of pink on the rind.
Cut rind in 1/12" pieces
Dissolve 1/2 cup salt in 2 qts of water
Pour over rind and let soak overnight
Drain and rinse with clear water twice
Cook rind in fresh water until tender and translucent Drain well

Make syrup
5 cups sugar
2 cups vinegar
2 ,3" sticks cinnamon crushed
1/4 tsp oil of cloves or 24 whole cloves

The cinnamon and cloves go into a spice bag or piece of cheesecloth I use a tea strainer(with a cover)

Combine in saucepan and boil for 2 minutes Pour over rind and let set overnight Pour off syrup heat to boiling and repeat for 2 days On 3rd day pack pickles in jars and pour on hot syrup tighten lids and water bath 10 minutes. Leave a bit of headspace so syrup does not come out of jars.
Yield approximately 7 pints