Watermelon Pickles

Ingredients: 16 cups watermelon pieces (approximately 1/2 a large watermelon) 1 cup salt cold water 2 tablespoons whole cloves 3 cinnamon sticks 2 pieces ginger root 1 lemon, thinly sliced 8 cups granulated sugar 4 cups white vinegar 4 cups water

Method: 1-Use the firm light pink watermelon flesh; cut in 1 inch pieces. 2-Dissolve salt thoroughly in 8 cups cold water, pour over watermelon pieces add more water if needed to cover watermelon. 3-Let stand 6 hours; drain, rinse well and cover with fresh cold water. Cook until just tender; drain. 4-Tie spices in a cheesecloth bag and combine with remaining ingredients; simmer 10 minutes. 5-Add watermelon pieces and simmer until clear; remove spice bag. (Add boiling water to syrup if it becomes too thick before the watermelon pieces are clear.) Pack, boiling hot, into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/8 inch head space; seal.