🍉 Watermelon Rind Pickles
A Delicious Discovery I'll Never Waste Again
🍉 Homemade watermelon rind pickles — sweet, spicy, and absolutely irresistible!
📌 In This Article
🍉 My Watermelon Rind Pickle Discovery
"Tried watermelon rind pickles for the 1st time today. They're sooo good I ate 1/2 of a jar and don't think I'll ever waste another watermelon rind again. I highly recommend these!" 🍉✨
I've always loved watermelon — the sweet, juicy flesh is a summer staple. But the rind? I used to throw it away like everyone else. That is, until I discovered watermelon rind pickles.
I looked up a bunch of recipes online and came up with my own based on those. And let me tell you — I'm never wasting another watermelon rind again.
These pickles are sweet, spicy, and tangy with a satisfying crunch. I ate half a jar straight out of the gate, and I've already opened my second jar because I love them! They're that good.
💬 The verdict: "They're sooo good I ate 1/2 of a jar and don't think I'll ever waste another watermelon rind again." — I highly recommend these!
📦 Ingredients
For the Rinds:
- 🍉 Watermelon rinds (from 1 large watermelon, peeled and cubed into 1-3" pieces)
- 🧂 Salt (for soaking brine)
- 💧 Water (for soaking and boiling)
For the Pickling Brine:
- 🍎 1 quart apple cider vinegar
- 🍬 2-4 cups sugar (adjust to taste)
- 🌿 2 tablespoons whole cloves
- 🌿 8-10 cinnamon sticks
- 🌿 Fresh ginger (sliced, to taste)
- 🌿 4-5 anise seed pods (star anise)
- 🍋 1 whole lemon (cut up)
- 💧 2-3 cups hot water (from boiling the rinds)
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Rinds
Peel the green outer skin from the watermelon rinds. Cut the white rind into 1-3 inch cubes or slices. You should have about 4 quarts of rind from one large watermelon.
Step 2: Soak in Salt Water
Place the cubed rinds in a large bowl or pot. Cover with salt water (about ¼ cup salt per gallon of water). Soak overnight (8-12 hours). This helps draw out excess moisture and firms up the rinds.
Step 3: Drain and Boil
Drain the salt water from the rinds. Cover with fresh water and bring to a boil. Boil for about 30-40 minutes until the rinds are mostly translucent. Reserve 2-3 cups of the boiling water for the brine.
Step 4: Make the Brine
In a separate large pot, combine the apple cider vinegar, 2-3 cups of hot water from the rinds, sugar, cloves, cinnamon sticks, ginger, anise pods, and cut-up lemon. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes to allow the spices to infuse. (You can strain the brine at this point if you prefer a smoother liquid.)
Step 5: Combine and Boil
Drain the boiled rinds and add them to the brine. Boil together for 15-20 minutes until the rinds are tender and have absorbed the flavors.
Step 6: Can and Process
Ladle the hot rinds and brine into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Wipe rims clean, apply lids and rings fingertip tight. Process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude).
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Remove jars and let cool for 12-24 hours. Check seals, remove rings, and store in a cool, dark place. Wait at least 2 weeks for flavors to fully develop — if you can wait that long!
💡 Pro Tip: "Mine are really spicy and sweet so you could adjust any ingredients to taste." — Feel free to customize the sugar and spice levels to your preference!
💪 Power Punch Benefits of Watermelon Rind Pickles
Rich in Nutrients
Watermelon rind contains vitamins C and B6, as well as potassium and magnesium. It's also a good source of fiber, making it a healthy addition to your diet.
Immune Boosting
The cinnamon, cloves, and ginger in this recipe are powerful immune supporters. They have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Digestive Health
Apple cider vinegar and lemon aid digestion, while the fiber from the rind supports gut health. These pickles are a true "power punch" to your system!
🌿 My Power Punch Philosophy
"When I researched the nutritional and even medicinal benefits of watermelon rind I decided to add other ingredients that also have many benefits making these my power punch pickled rinds, lol."
Each ingredient in this recipe was chosen not just for flavor, but for its health benefits:
- 🍉 Watermelon rind: Rich in citrulline, which supports heart health and circulation.
- 🌿 Cinnamon & Cloves: Powerful antioxidants that fight inflammation.
- 🫚 Ginger: Aids digestion and has anti-nausea properties.
- 🍋 Lemon & ACV: Support immune function and aid in digestion.
🎨 Customization Ideas
- Adjust the heat: Add red pepper flakes or fresh chili for a spicy kick.
- Adjust the sweetness: Use 2 cups of sugar for a tangier pickle, or 4 cups for a sweeter version.
- Try different spices: Experiment with cardamom, star anise, or allspice for different flavor profiles.
- Add more ginger: Fresh ginger adds a wonderful zing and additional health benefits.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use any watermelon variety for this?
Yes! Any watermelon will work. Seedless watermelons have thinner rinds, while seeded varieties may have thicker rinds that hold up well to pickling.
❓ How long do these pickles last?
Properly canned, they last 12-18 months in a cool, dark place. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 2-3 weeks.
❓ Why do I need to soak the rinds in salt water overnight?
The salt water soak helps firm up the rinds and draws out excess moisture, preventing them from becoming mushy during canning.
❓ Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe is very customizable. If you prefer a more tangy pickle, use 2 cups of sugar instead of 4. The pickling process will still work beautifully.
❓ What do these pickles taste like?
They're sweet, spicy, and tangy with a satisfying crunch. Think of a sweet pickle with a cinnamon-clove kick and a hint of ginger.
❓ Do I really need to peel the green skin off?
Yes! The outer green skin is tough and bitter. Peel it completely, leaving only the white and light green rind for pickling.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ WATERMELON RIND PICKLES ║
║ Sweet, Spicy & Power Punch Pickles ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
YIELD: 4-6 jars | TIME: Overnight + 2 hours
INGREDIENTS:
- Watermelon rinds (4 quarts, peeled, 1-3" cubes)
- Salt water (¼ cup salt per gallon)
- 1 quart apple cider vinegar
- 2-4 cups sugar
- 2 Tbsp whole cloves
- 8-10 cinnamon sticks
- Fresh ginger (sliced)
- 4-5 anise seed pods
- 1 whole lemon (cut up)
- 2-3 cups hot water (from rinds)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Peel and cube watermelon rinds.
2. Soak in salt water overnight.
3. Drain, cover with fresh water, boil 30-40 min.
4. Make brine: combine vinegar, hot water, sugar, spices, lemon. Simmer 30 min.
5. Add drained rinds to brine. Boil 15-20 min.
6. Pack into sterilized jars.
7. Process in water bath 10 min.
8. Cool, check seals, store.
"I've already opened my 2nd jar because I love them!"
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© CanningRebels — Watermelon Rind Pickles | A Delicious Discovery
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