Sour Watermelon Jell O Shots In A Watermelon Rind 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.

WATERMELON JELL-O SHOTS

Steps:

• Put the kettle on to boil. Then put the gelatin leaves into a small wide bowl, cover them with cold water and set aside to soften.
• Cut the limes in half lengthwise, rather than around their middles, and, using a spoon, scoop out the juicy flesh. It takes a bit of wiggling and getting squirted by the juice, but you will get there! The trick is not to break through the lime skin. (You don't need the flesh for this recipe, but afterward I like to squeeze the juice out and freeze it in an ice-cube tray for handy lime juice needs at other times.)
• Set each half, cut side up, on a large tray, or put each one in the cup of a 12-cup muffin pan. They fit perfectly and don't move around too much that way. You will need two or three 12-cup muffin pans, but if you don't have enough, you can nestle the excess lime shells on top in between the others and they should sit still.
• Next, break up the strawberry gelatin a bit and put it into a heatproof measuring cup, then pour over enough hot water to reach 1 3/4 cups.
• Pick up the gelatin leaves-they will feel all soft. Gently squeeze out as much liquid as you can from them, discard the bowl of water and then put the soft gelatin leaves into the gelatin and hot water. Leave to stand for a few minutes until everything begins to melt, then stir a little until everything is completely dissolved. Next, stir in the sugar, if using, until dissolved also.
• Use the gelatin to fill each lime shell right up to the very top so it is almost overflowing. Let the shells cool down for about 5 minutes and then put them in the freezer for about 25 minutes to firm up (but not much longer or they will freeze!). They will set in the fridge also, but allow double the time.
• Meanwhile, prepare the passion fruit by cutting it (or them) in half and scooping out the seeds onto paper towels. Dab the seeds dry with the towels and set them aside.
• Halfway through the setting time (once the gelatins are just beginning to firm up), remove them and carefully arrange the passion fruit seeds on top. Arrange about six seeds on each one, keeping them away from the middle as you will be cutting them in half later, and lightly press each one down a little so it will set into the gelatin. Then return to the freezer until completely firm.
• Once they are firm, remove them from the freezer. Then, using a sharp, nonserrated knife, cut them in half, straight down (again, lengthwise), and there you have it!

PICKLED WATERMELON RINDS

Steps:

• In a glass bowl, stir together the water and salt until the salt has dissolved. Add the watermelon rinds and any additional water needed to cover them. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight.
• Drain the watermelon rinds from the salted water, and place into a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Cover with fresh water, then place over high heat and bring to a boil. Boil rinds for 30 minutes, then drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, tie the cloves, mustard seed, and cinnamon sticks in a piece of cheesecloth. Place into a large saucepan or Dutch oven along with the vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, then remove from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes. Stir in the drained watermelon rind, then return to the stove over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer until the rind is transparent and the syrup is slightly thickened, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove and discard the spices after 40 minutes. Stir in the food coloring if desired.
• Ladle into hot sterilized 1 pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space. Seal jars with new lids and rings, making sure you have cleaned the jar's rims of any residue. Process jars under 1 inch of water in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Let cool overnight, then press down on the lids to make sure they are sealed before storing. Store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator and enjoy those first.

HALLOWEEN JELL-O SHOTS

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer. Have ready a medium heatproof bowl that can fit over the saucepan without touching the water.
• Combine the unflavored gelatin with 1/2 cup cold water in the bowl and stir frequently until all the gelatin is moistened and becomes a thick paste, about 5 minutes.
• Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• Place the bowl of bloomed gelatin over the simmering water to gently melt, stirring occasionally, until no lumps remain, about 30 seconds. Remove from the simmering water and stir in 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the condensed milk until smooth. If there are lumps, place the bowl over the simmering water and stir occasionally until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup of the vodka, then pour into the prepared baking dish and refrigerate until just set and sticky when touched, about 30 minutes.
• Whisk the orange-flavored gelatin with 1 cup of the boiling water in another medium heatproof bowl until well dissolved, about 2 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup cold water, 1/2 cup of the remaining vodka and 1 tablespoon of the condensed milk until well combined. Skim the bubbles from the surface with a spoon (see Cook's Note for an alternative method). Let cool at room temperature until the white layer in the baking dish is set (see Cook's Note). Pour the orange gelatin mixture over the white layer and refrigerate until just set and sticky when touched, about 30 minutes.
• Whisk the lemon-flavored gelatin with the remaining 1 cup boiling water in a third medium heatproof bowl until well dissolved, about 2 minutes. Whisk in 1/2 cup cold water, the remaining 1/2 cup vodka and 1 tablespoon condensed milk until well combined. Skim the bubbles from the surface with a spoon. Let cool at room temperature until the orange layer in the baking dish is set. Pour the lemon gelatin mixture over the orange layer and refrigerate until firmly set, at least 90 minutes, up to overnight (see Cook's Note).
• Lightly grease a plastic cutting board or baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Run a thin knife or offset spatula around the outside of the layered gelatin and invert onto the prepared cutting board. Trim the edges for neat corners and cut the gelatin into 40 equal pieces. Transfer to a serving platter.
• Whip the heavy cream and sugar with a handheld mixer or whisk in a large bowl until firm peaks form. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Close the top of the bag and refrigerate until ready to serve. Pipe a small star on top of each Jell-O shot and sprinkle with the sprinkles. Serve immediately.