Pickled Watermelon With Peppers And Celery Recipes

PICKLED WATERMELON RINDS

Steps:

• Combine 6 cups of water with the salt in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the watermelon rinds and boil until slightly tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set the rinds aside.
• Combine the sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds, peppercorns, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, cinnamon and ginger with 1 cup water in a small pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, add the rinds and cook for 10 minutes. Let cool, then transfer to a pickling jar or a releasable glass container. Store in the refrigerator.

SWEET-AND-SPICY PICKLED WATERMELON RIND

Steps:

• Trim the green skin off 1/4 small watermelon. Remove all but 1/4 inch red fruit from the rind; cut the rind into 1/2-inch pieces. Pack into a 1-quart jar. Combine 3/4 cup each apple cider vinegar and water, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour over the rind; let cool. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 1 week.

PICKLED WATERMELON RINDS

Steps:

• Cut the watermelon flesh from the rind, leaving only a 1/4-inch layer of pink flesh on the rind. (Reserve the flesh for another purpose.) Cut the green outer skin from the rind and discard; cut the rind into 1-by-2-inch pieces. Combine the vinegar, sugar, allspice, salt, black and Sichuan peppercorns, cinnamon, ginger and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring regularly, until the sugar and salt dissolve, about 5 minutes. Add the watermelon rinds and bring the mixture back to a boil, placing a heavy object such as a heat-proof plate on top to keep the rinds submerged. Reduce the heat and simmer until the rinds are tender when pierced with a fork, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool completely.
• Transfer to airtight containers and cover. Refrigerate at least overnight before serving. The pickled watermelon rinds can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

GREEN BEAN AND CELERY SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, a pinch of salt and 3 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl. Add 1 minced shallot, 2 tablespoons capers, a handful each of chopped parsley and celery leaves, and a pinch of pepper. Boil 3/4 pound halved green beans until crisp-tender, 4 minutes; drain and add to the dressing along with a few thinly sliced celery ribs.

PICKLED CELERY RELISH

Steps:

• Trim the skinny tops and dark green leaves from the celery and discard or save them for soup. Save a handful of tender, light green leaves from the heart. Slice the ribs about 1/8-inch thick on an angle. Put the celery pieces and light green leaves in a large nonreactive bowl.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the vinegar, 1 cup water, the sugar, salt, ginger and chile to a boil, stirring once or twice. Pour over the celery. Transfer to a mason jar or any sealable container, using a spoon or fork to press the celery into the liquid. Cover and refrigerate (it's okay if the mixture is still slightly warm) at least overnight before eating (the pickles will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 month).