Watermelon Rind Chutney Food

WATERMELON-RIND CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Cut and scrape flesh from watermelon rind; reserve for another use. Cut away outer green skin from rind; discard. Cut rind into 1-inch pieces. (You should have about 9 cups.)
• Bring rind, vinegar, sugar, water, ginger, peppercorns, chiles, and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Reduce heat, and simmer until rind is translucent and tender and liquid is syrupy, about 55 minutes. Divide mixture among 2 pint-size and one 1/2-pint-size sterilized glass jars; refrigerate.

WATERMELON RIND CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Remove watermelon flesh from rind and reserve flesh for another use. Scrape off and discard any remaining pink flesh from rind, then cut rind crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips and remove green peel with a Y-shaped vegetable peeler or a sharp knife. Discard green peel. Cut white rind into 1/2-inch cubes (you will have 5 to 6 cups).
• Bring rind and remaining ingredients to a boil in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until rind is tender and translucent and liquid is syrupy, 45 to 55 minutes. Cool chutney, uncovered, then chill in an airtight container 1 to 3 days to allow flavors to mellow.

WATERMELON CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Heat oil in a stockpot over medium heat; cook and stir red onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and ginger until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Mix watermelon, tomatoes, lime juice, curry powder, salt, and sugar into onion mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until watermelon and tomatoes are slightly broken down, about 10 minutes.
• Fill 4 clean jars with chutney, seal, and turn upside down to mix for 5 minutes. Turn right-side up and refrigerate.

CANDIED WATERMELON RIND

Steps:

• Place watermelon rind in a deep pot and add the sugar.
• Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight (at least 4 hours) to macerate.
• In the morning, bring to a simmer, stirring to thoroughly dissolve the sugar.
• Add the remaining ingredients, cover and simmer for 2 1/2 hours. Cubes will be translucent when done.
• Uncover and bring to a boil. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring often, to reduce the syrup to a thick caramel-like liquid.
• While still hot, ladle into sterilized jars and process in a waterbath for 30 minutes (the original calls for turning the jars upside down for a minute to create a seal but to correlate with the US safety guidelines I suggest waterbath canning for shelf-storage. If you're keeping it in the fridge, skip this part!).

CHEWY WATERMELON RIND CANDY

Steps:

• Cut watermelon rind into 2-inch long, 1-inch wide, and 1/2-inch thick pieces.
• Combine water, sugar, spearmint, and basil in a large pot. Bring to a rolling boil. Strain out spearmint and basil. Add watermelon rind, making sure pieces are completely immersed. Cook until rind is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Drain watermelon pieces and arrange in a single layer on dehydrator trays. Dry according to manufacturer's instructions until pieces are candied and dried, 6 to 8 hours.

GLAZED SPARERIBS WITH WATERMELON-RIND CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine wine, honey, hoisin and soy sauces, chiles, oil, garlic, chopped scallions, and ginger. Arrange ribs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Pour sauce over ribs, and turn to coat. Cover with parchment-lined foil, and roast until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Uncover, and cook, turning and basting with sauce every 10 minutes, until glazed and cooked through, about 30 minutes. (Sauce should be gooey; add water, 1/4 cup at a time, if needed.)
• Serve ribs with 1 or 2 watermelon pieces. Top with chutney. Drizzle with glaze from pan. Garnish with sliced scallions, and sprinkle with fleur de sel.