Russian Pickled Watermelon Food

SWEET-AND-SPICY PICKLED WATERMELON RIND

Steps:

• Trim the green skin off 1/4 small watermelon. Remove all but 1/4 inch red fruit from the rind; cut the rind into 1/2-inch pieces. Pack into a 1-quart jar. Combine 3/4 cup each apple cider vinegar and water, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour over the rind; let cool. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 1 week.

RUSSIAN PICKLED WATERMELON

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive bowl or pot, stir together salt, sugar, pickling spices, cayenne, vinegar, garlic, celery, dill, and 8 cups water until salt and sugar dissolve.
• Submerge the watermelon wedges.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 week and up to 2 weeks before serving.

RUSSIAN PICKLED WATERMELON

Steps:

• In a large non reactive bowl stir everything together then add and submerge the watermelon pieces. Wrap with plastic wrap and keep in fridge at least a week, up to 2 weeks.
• Enjoy cold pickled watermelon.

PICKLED WATERMELON RINDS

Steps:

• Combine 6 cups of water with the salt in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the watermelon rinds and boil until slightly tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set the rinds aside.
• Combine the sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, cinnamon and ginger with 1 cup water in a small pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, add the rinds and cook for 10 minutes. Let cool, then transfer to a pickling jar or a releasable glass container. Store in the refrigerator.

PICKLED WATERMELON AND WATERMELON RIND

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, salt and 4 cups water over medium heat. Bring up to a boil. Place the coriander and peppercorns on a cutting board. Lightly crush the spices with the bottom of a sturdy pan, then add them to the liquid. Turn the heat down to low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning. It should be a mix of vinegary, sweet and slightly salty. Shut it off to cool slightly.
• Fill a quart-size jar with the watermelon cubes and a pint-size jar with the rind pieces.
• Pour the vinegar mixture over the melon and rind and let it cool at room temperature, uncovered, for 2 hours. Place in the refrigerator and let it chill, uncovered, overnight. Then cover tightly. The pickles will be good for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

RUSSIAN PICKLED MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients, except for the mushrooms.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook for 3 minutes.
• Add mushrooms and when mixture boils again continue to cook and stir, 1 minute more.
• Chill several hours or overnight to blend flavors.
• Serve cold.
• Preparation and cooking time does not include flavor blending time.