I clean up all the pumpkins, watermelon, tomatoes, split cantaloupe, and squash to the chickens, and when I didn’t, they thought I was mad at them... I swear, they pouted...
I have a dog who pouts over things like that. If she doesn't get offered something that's going to compost she is definitely insulted. She would eat a little melon and she will eat anything that I have cooked but she will not eat tomatoes. Very funny to watch her. Goofiest dog you ever saw. But, has been my wonderful constant companion through some hellish years. She's old now. I mean, OLDDDDD for a dog. She is finally at a spot now where she's settled with her spot in front of the fire in the house and her spotS out in the sunshine when it's warm. And that's all she does, eats and lays in warm spots. LOL She deserves it.
Do you ever make watermelon rind pickles? I just love these, and it’s a nice way to use up something that you might just throw away. There are a couple of different ways to make them, but the ones I love are with the “red hots” candy. (Again, I apologize if this has already been posted).
A nice recipe and pictorial here (but without the red hots): http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1488/
and here’s someone’s request for a recipe and the response:
I need a recipe for Canned Watermelon Rind with red hots (candy). I ate these as a child at Christmas but no one can find my grandmother’s recipe.
Deborah from Bartlett, TN
Answers:
RE: Canned Watermelon Rind
Hi Deborah!! I found this recipe while surfing (I’ve never made them myself). http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1636,146171-243195,00.html
WATERMELON RIND PICKLES
1 watermelon (14 c.)
1 gal. water
1/4 c. slaked lime
3 c. white vinegar
7 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. oil of cloves
1/2 tsp. oil of cinnamon
1/2 c. red cinnamon candies
4 drops red food coloring
Stainless steel or enamel cookware
Select a melon that has a thick rind. Remove outer green skin and pink flesh. Use only the greenish- white parts of the rind. Cut enough rind into 1 inch cubes (my note: the ones I have had are in thick strips) to make 14 cups. Combine water and lime. Add rind and soak overnight in refrigerator. Drain cubes and rinse in cold water. Bring to a boil and cook 30 minutes. Drain.
Combine vinegar, sugar, oil of cloves, cinnamon, food color and candies. Pour over cubes. Boil slowly until cubes look clear, about 1 hour or longer, being sure cubes are covered with syrup through out cooking. Add hot water if syrup cooks down. Pack pickles in hot jars. Cover with syrup. Seal. Makes 7 pints. Use stainless steel containers or enamel to cook in and soak in.
(09/22/2006)
By Luvyabye
RE: Canned Watermelon Rind
Candied Watermelon Rinds
Serves/Makes:5 or more 1/2 pints
Ingredients
6 cups (1425 ml) water
9 cups (2125 ml) cubed watermelon rind - about 1”
4 cups (950 ml) sugar
1 cup (225 ml) white vinegar
cinnamon sticks
whole cloves
Preparation
First day:
Heat water to boiling in large kettle.
Add rind; simmer till tender(about 10 minutes).
Drain rind thoroughly,and put into crock (or glass bowl).
Combine remaining ingredients in kettle.
Heat to boiling; stir till sugar is melted.
Pour hot syrup over rind.
Cool.
Cover.
Let stand overnight.
DAY 2:
Drain rind; reserving syrup.
Heat syrup to boiling.
Pour over rind.
Cool.
Cover.
Let stand overnight.
DAY 3:
Repeat day 2
Final day:
Prepare jars and water bath.
Heat rind and syrup to boiling but do not boil.
At this point Grandma always added red or green food coloring.
Fill jars and process.
Cool and store.
Comments: I’m sure that this is not what you are looking for. But if you have rind and the time these are great pickles. It has become a tradition with my grand kids,as it was for me when I was a child to “help” Granny make these pickles for the holidays!
(09/24/2006)
By LRP