Cherry Watermelon Pickles - cooking recipe

Ingredients

rind of 1/2 large watermelon
3 qt. cold water
6 Tbsp. salt
6 c. sugar
2 c. vinegar
2 Tbsp. whole spice
1 Tbsp. whole cloves
2 sticks cinnamon
1 (8 oz.) jar red maraschino cherries, drained

Preparation

Remove green skin and pink flesh of watermelon from rind.
Cut rind into 1-inch squares.
Place in saucepan and cover with water; add salt.
Set aside for 4 hours.
Drain and rinse with cold water and drain again.
Add enough water to cover; bring to boil over medium heat.
Boil 10 minutes, remove from heat and drain thoroughly.
Combine sugar and vinegar in 5 to 6-quart pan.
Tie spices in cheesecloth bag and add to sugar-vinegar mixture.
Bring to boil and cook 10 minutes.
Remove from heat; add rind.
Cool and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
Remove rind.
Bring syrup to a boil. Add rind and cherries; let boil 5 minutes.
Remove spice bag.
Pack rind and cherry mixture in sterilized jars, covering completely with hot syrup.