Summer brings sweet, tasty watermelons and while you could compost your rinds or leave them for the animals, why not turn them into something delicious with this Watermelon Rind Pickles recipe?
A great way to reduce food waste is to make these delicious watermelon pickles. Sure, it may sound a little funny at first, but once you have eaten them, you will see why they are becoming so popular. These sweet pickles are perfectly store in mason jars in the refrigerator and make a delicious no waste summer snack.
What is so great about These Pickles?
Watermelon rind pickles offer a unique experience and several benefits that make them appealing:
- Sustainability and Waste Reduction: Watermelon rind pickles are an excellent way to utilize parts of the watermelon that are often discarded. By pickling the rinds, you can reduce food waste and make the most of the entire fruit.
- Unique Flavor: Watermelon rind pickles have a distinctive taste that combines the sweet, crisp nature of the rind with the tangy, spicy, and sometimes sweet flavors from the pickling brine. This unique combination can add a refreshing twist to various dishes.
- Versatility: These pickles can be used in a variety of ways. They can be eaten on their own as a snack, added to salads for extra crunch, served alongside sandwiches and burgers, or even incorporated into charcuterie boards.
- Nutritional Benefits: Watermelon rinds contain nutrients like vitamins B and C, and they are also a source of fiber. Pickling them allows you to enjoy these nutritional benefits in a different form.
- Cultural and Historical Significance: Watermelon rind pickles have a rich history in Southern American cuisine. They are a traditional food that reflects the ingenuity and resourcefulness of past generations who found ways to preserve and enjoy every part of their harvest.
- Easy to Make: Making watermelon rind pickles at home is relatively simple. The process usually involves peeling the green outer skin, cutting the rind into pieces, and then soaking them in a pickling brine made of vinegar, sugar, and spices.
These are celebrated for their sustainability, unique flavor profile, versatility in culinary applications, and cultural significance. They offer an interesting and delicious way to enjoy a part of the fruit that would otherwise go to waste.
What do Watermelon Rind Pickles taste like?
Since these are essentially pickled watermelon, the flavors are tangy and sweet. You can adjust this recipe to your liking. If it is too sweet, omit the sugar, but either way, these refrigerator pickles made of watermelon rind are delicious!
What do you eat with watermelon rind pickles?
This easy recipe is a great accompaniment to your summertime bbq! These would taste great on a salad, next to a vegan gyro, a piece of grilled chicken, a vidalia onion bacon cheeseburger, or just a great snack. You can also make a delicious watermelon salad and throw in some pickled watermelon rinds along with fresh watermelon, and lettuce.
The tangy flavor of these pickles is really addictive. If you want some extra spice, try adding some Tajin. You can also play around with the ingredients, adding fresh dill, garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, black peppercorn, white vinegar, rice vinegar, or a piece of stick cinnamon. This pickled watermelon rind recipe is a winner, but you can swap out the flavors and make a wide array of different flavors of pickles!
I hope you enjoy this recipe! Make sure and tell me if you make them and how they turned out!
Watermelon Rind Pickles
Watermelon Rind Pickles are delicious and tangy, but also a great way to use up the whole watermelon so none is wasted.
Ingredients
- 3-4 pieces of watermelon rind
- 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1 tbsp. water
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 3 clove buds
- 1 tsp. coriander
- 4 peppercorns
Instructions
- With a thin, sharp knife, remove the toughest part of the peel of the rind. (Leave only the white and pink part.)
- Cut the peels into strips 1/3 inch wide. Dice each strip into cubes.
- Place the diced peel strips in a microwave safe bowl.
- Add salt and sugar, spices, garlic, water and vinegar and stir.
- Place the bowl in the microwave. Set the cooking time to 5 minutes on full power.
- Remove from microwave and place in a jar.
- Move jar to the fridge and refrigerate overnight or longer.
- Serve watermelon rind pickles with any meal, or sprinkle with parsey and drizzle with olive oil for a delicious snack!
Notes
1. Cook in small portions.
2. Store the pickles in the refrigerator in a glass jar with a lid.
3. Add onions for a more savory flavor.
4. Those who like spicy dishes can add jalapeno peppers.
Sage
Saturday 15th of June 2024
What a clever idea! My daughter and I had fun making these.