How do I make watermelon rind pickle relish?

Turn watermelon rinds into a tangy and sweet relish with our easy recipe! Add a twist to your summer BBQs with this refreshing condiment.

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I make Watermelon Rind Pickle Relish. Items include: watermelon rinds salt vinegar sugar mustard seeds celery seeds turmeric cloves

watermelon rinds 2 cups, cut into small pieces
salt 1/4 cup
vinegar 1 cup
sugar 1 cup
mustard seeds 1 tablespoon
celery seeds 1 tablespoon
turmeric 1 teaspoon
cloves 1/4 teaspoon

Take note
Be careful when handling sharp knives and hot liquids. Also, make sure to properly sterilize your jars to ensure food safety.

1

Prepare the watermelon rinds

First things first, grab those watermelon rinds and wash them thoroughly. Remove any pink flesh (we'll save that for snacking later) and cut the rinds into small bite-sized pieces.

2

Brine the rinds

Place the watermelon rinds in a large pot and cover them with water. Add salt to the pot to create a brine. Let the rinds soak in the brine for about 2 hours to tenderize them. This step helps to soften the rinds and prepare them for pickling.

3

Rinse and drain

After soaking, rinse the watermelon rinds thoroughly under cold water to remove the excess salt. Drain the rinds and set them aside.

4

Prepare the pickling liquid

In a separate pot, combine vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, and cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it boils, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.

5

Bring it all together

Add the drained watermelon rinds to the pickling liquid and let them cook for about 15 minutes, until they become translucent and tender. Stir occasionally to ensure even pickling.

6

Sterilize your jars

While the watermelon rinds are pickling, prepare your jars by sterilizing them. Wash the jars and lids with hot, soapy water, and then place them in a pot filled with water. Bring the water to a boil and let the jars simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove them from the water and let them air dry.

7

Jar and store

Once the pickled watermelon rinds have cooked to perfection, carefully spoon them into your sterilized jars. Fill the jars to the top and make sure there are no air bubbles. Seal the jars tightly and let them cool. Store them in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before enjoying the relish.