Pickled Watermelon Rind Just to Make You Homesick

Transform a humble summer leftover into a nostalgic treat with "Pickled Watermelon Rind Just to Make You Homesick." This recipe breathes new life into the often-overlooked white rind of a watermelon, magically turning it into a tender, tangy-sweet delight bursting with old-fashioned charm. Featuring a signature blend of apple cider vinegar, warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, and the zesty brightness of fresh lemon and ginger, the rinds are brined to perfection, creating a unique condiment that’s as comforting as it is surprising. Perfect as a crisp snack, a garnish for charcuterie boards, or a tangy sidekick for your favorite Southern dishes, these pickled rinds offer a beautiful blend of sustainability and flavor. From softening the rinds overnight to simmering them in a fragrant spiced syrup, this recipe is a labor of love guaranteed to transport you to childhood summers and cozy kitchen memories.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 4 cups (peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces) Watermelon rind
• 4 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Salt
• 2.5 cups Apple cider vinegar
• 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 6 whole Cloves
• 1 tablespoon (peeled and sliced) Ginger
• 0.5 Lemon (thinly sliced)

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the watermelon rinds. Peel off the green outer skin and remove any pink flesh, leaving only the white rind. Cut the rind into 1-inch pieces until you’ve measured 4 cups.

Step 2

In a large bowl, dissolve the salt in 4 cups of water. Add the watermelon rind pieces and allow them to soak for 6-8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This helps to soften the rinds.

Step 3

After soaking, drain and rinse the watermelon rinds under cool water to remove excess salt.

Step 4

In a large saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, 1 cup of water, and granulated sugar. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.

Step 5

Once dissolved, add the cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and lemon slices to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 6

Add the rinsed watermelon rinds to the saucepan and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook the rinds for 30-35 minutes or until they become translucent and tender.

Step 7

Carefully transfer the hot watermelon rinds and syrup into sterilized jars using a ladle. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.

Step 8

Seal the jars tightly and allow them to cool to room temperature. Store the jars in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or process them in a water bath for 10 minutes if you’d like them to be shelf-stable.

Step 9

Allow the pickled watermelon rinds to sit for at least 24 hours before enjoying. This resting time enhances the flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2873.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1609.1

Total Fat 3.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 14262.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 393.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.7g	0%
Total Sugars 360.0g
Protein 6.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 304.5mg	0%
Iron 4.8mg	0%
Potassium 1661.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.0%

Protein: 1.7%

Carbs: 96.4%