Leah's Watermelon Pickles

By backfxrs

These pickles were a staple on the Rigler table in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

It is important to get a watermelon with a thick rind, Black Diamond, if possible. Prepare small canning jars by boiling them to sterilize.

Ingredients

• 1 watermelon with thickest rind you can find
• 3 tb. salt
• 7 lbs sugar
• 2 quarts vinegar
• 10 whole cloves, 4 sticks cinnamon, 1 tb. whole pepper
• cheesecloth
• medium bottle of maraschino cherries

Preparation

Step 1

1) Cut rind off of watermelon and cut into bite sized pieces.
2) Soak overnight in 3 heaping Tb of salt and 1 gallon of water.
3) In the morning, rinse well and cover with cold water.
4) Boil until the rind is clear and tender but not soft.
5) Prepare a spice bag by putting 10 whole cloves, 4 sticks of cinnamon, 1 Tb whole black pepper in cheesecloth and tie.
6) Combine 7 lbs. of sugar, 2 quarts of vinegar, and spice bag and boil for 30 minutes.
7) Add the melon pieces and boil for 40 minutes.
8) Add a medium bottle of maraschino cherries with the juice.
9) Let stand overnight and remove the spice bag the next morning.
10) Place in jars, boil then seal.