Watermelon Rind Food

PICKLED WATERMELON RINDS

Steps:

• Cut the watermelon flesh from the rind, leaving only a 1/4-inch layer of pink flesh on the rind. (Reserve the flesh for another purpose.) Cut the green outer skin from the rind and discard; cut the rind into 1-by-2-inch pieces. Combine the vinegar, sugar, allspice, salt, black and Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon, ginger and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring regularly, until the sugar and salt dissolve, about 5 minutes. Add the watermelon rinds and bring the mixture back to a boil, placing a heavy object such as a heat-proof plate on top to keep the rinds submerged. Reduce the heat and simmer until the rinds are tender when pierced with a fork, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool completely.
• Transfer to airtight containers and cover. Refrigerate at least overnight before serving. The pickled watermelon rinds can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

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 RIND STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Heat the peanut oil in a large skillet over medium heat until the oil just begins to smoke; cook and stir the onion, garlic, and salt in the hot oil until the onions are translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir the watermelon rind, red bell pepper, and about half the vegetable broth into the onion mixture. Reduce heat to low. Place a cover over the skillet and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.
• Whisk the remaining vegetable broth, the teriyaki sauce, and cornstarch together in a small bowl; stir into the mixture in the skillet and cook until the mixture begins to thicken. Serve hot.

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.

WATERMELON RIND PRESERVES OLD TIME

Steps:

• Trim green peel and red flesh from watermelon. Cut rind into small cubes (14-16 cups).
• Place cubed rind into stainless steel pot (Dutch oven size) and add one part sugar to two parts rind (I use little less sugar in my recipe). Let sit until sugar dissolves, a couple or hours or overnight (preferably overnight). Rind and sugar should have made its own liquid.
• Start cooking on medium, checking and stirring until it starts to boil, about 20-30 minutes.
• Add thinly sliced lemon, juice and zest of the other lemon. Stir in ground or whole spices of your choice.
• Turn down heat to low and cook on low heat until rinds are translucent, checking and stirring often (don't want the sugar to burn). (Approximately 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours more or less, until rinds are translucent).
• If using red food coloring, add a few drops to desired color at this point, stir well.
• Seal in prepared jars, clean jars, lids and rings placed in boiling water until ready to fill. Approximately (8) 1/2 pint jars, (16) 1/4 pint jars, or (4) pint jars.
• Immediately after filling jars I like to turn them upside down for 5-10 minutes, supposedly to help them seal.
• Optional instead of ground spices add with lemons:
• Cinnamon sticks (eight short pieces, 1 for each jar).
• Whole cloves (16-32 cloves, 2-4 for each jar).
• Grated fresh ginger (1 tablespoon).
• Red food coloring.

WATERMELON RIND PRESERVES

Steps:

• Trim green skin and pink flesh from watermelon rind; chop enough rind to yield 6 cups. In a large bowl, stir salt and 2 quarts warm water until salt is dissolved. Add 6 cups chopped rind. Cover and refrigerate 5-6 hours. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain. Cover rind with cold water and let stand 30 minutes. Drain. Transfer rind to a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until just tender, 10-15 minutes; drain., To make preserves, in a stockpot, combine sugar, lemon juice and 7 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Stir in rind. Place cinnamon, cloves and cardamom on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose seasonings; tie securely with string. Add to stockpot. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until rind is clear, 30-45 minutes. Discard spice bag., Remove from heat. Ladle hot mixture into 6 hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight., Place jars into canner with water simmering, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

WATERMELON RIND PICKLES (REFRIGERATOR METHOD)

Steps:

• Bring all ingredients (except food coloring) to a rapid boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook until pickles are tender and somewhat translucent. Add green food coloring if desired. Transfer pickles, juice and cinnamon sticks to a covered glass bowl and store in the refrigerator after cooling. Discard the pickling spices.
• Wait at least 12-24 hours to serve so that all the flavors have been absorbed.