Preparation / Directions:
*Note: You can substitute two sticks of cinnamon and about 12 cloves in a spice bag for the oils.
Trim pink flesh and outer green from melon rind so you have white pulp. Cut pulp to 1-inch cubes overnight. Dissolve salt in cold water and soak melon-rind cubes overnight.
Make more brine as needed to keep rind covered. Combine sugar, vinegar, oil of cinnamon, oil of cloves in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and pour over rind. Cover and let stand overnight. In morning, sterilize canning jars and lids according to manufacturer's directions.
Drain off syrup into a saucepan. Pack the rind into sterilized canning jars. Bring syrup to a boil and pour over rind in jars; leaving 1/2" head space. Seal with sterilized lids according to manufacturer's instructions. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Source: Blue Ribbon Pickles and Preserves by Maria Polushkin Robbins (St Martin's Press) Miami Herald, 9/28
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