This recipe is a little involved, but really good! Cantaloupe pickles might seem like a strange combination, but it is a combo of sweet and tangy that really makes them so good! This is a 2 day process, so make sure you have some time when you make them!
Cantaloupe Pickles
Lightly adapted from the NCFHP
Print this recipe!
5 pounds cubed cantaloupe (about 2 1/4 cantaloupe for me)
1 tsp crushed red pepper
2 tsp cloves
1 tsp ginger
4 1/2 cups cider vinegar
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
Day 1: Cut the cantaloupe into cubes and place in a large bowl.
Place all the spices in a spice bag, or on a piece of cheesecloth.
Tie to enclose the spices – I just used some string.
In a medium pot on the stove, combine the vinegar and water and bring to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, turn off the heat, and add the spice bag. Let it hang out and steep in the vinegar mixture for at least 5 minutes.
Pour the vinegar mixture over the cubed cantaloupe, and add the spice bag into the bowl as well. Let this sit overnight (at least 12 hours, or as many as 18) in the refrigerator.
Day 2: Strain the vinegar from the cantaloupe cubes, and place in a large pot on the stove. Add sugar, and bring to a boil. Once the vinegar reaches a boil, add in the cantaloupe. Simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the cantaloupe looks slightly translucent. Remove the cantaloupe from syrup, and let the syrup boil by itself for 5 minutes. Add the cantaloupe back in, and bring back to a boil.
Fill jars, and top with 2 part lids. Add the cantaloupe, and make sure to cover completely with syrup.
Process in a boiling bath canner for the time recommended for your altitude. Remove from canner, and let sit undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Seal and store!
I love how you can see speckles in the syrup from the spices! They really are sweet, spicy, and tart all at once!
This is linked to the Carnival of Home Preserving, LIttle House in the Suburbs DIY Linky, Farmgirl Friday, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, and Homestead Barn Hop.
Hmmm, I’m intrigued! I love pickles and was bummed that my garden didn’t even produce enough for daily eating, much less the major pickle canning I was planning on. Should have planted cantaloupes instead, apparently!
Allie recently posted..The 5th of July
ahhh that’s too bad. I guess that is the thing about gardening, you never know what you will get!
Now THAT is an interesting recipe! I would love to try a sample of those ‘pickles’. They sound very unique.
Lyn recently posted..Primal Snacks: Caramelized Coconut Chips, and Dark Chocolate Pepita Bark
They definitely are unique!
I like them though!
True. That’s pretty unique.
Emily Woodhouse recently posted..Hosted Exchange, Exchange Hosting, Microsoft Exchange solutions
Thanks Emily! They are unique, but I like them!
yum!
Thanks! I really liked them, my hubby not so much
I have never heard of this but I am a huge fan of all kinds of other things pickled, so I would probably like this. Have a wonderful weekend!
Rhonda recently posted..Favorite Things #26 – My Keurig Coffee Maker
Thanks Rhonda, you too! I also love all things pickled … I just love the sweet and sour kinda taste in these!
I love pickles in all forms and while I’ve had watermelon rind pickles I’ve never had a cantalope pickle. These sound amazing and I’ll have to give them a try. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Mary recently posted..A Simple Cinnamon Raisin Quick Bread
Thanks Mary! I also tried watermelon rind pickles, but I didn’t really like them. These however I really like! Have a great day!
Hi Jane. WOW….these look soooo interesting and different! I have bookmarked this and hope to try them soon. I LOVE canning/jamming etc and am always on the hunt for new things to try. Thanks for sharing. Have a great Friday.
Thanks Roz! I love them! The combo of flavors is just so fun! Have a great weekend!
I have never heard of cantaloupe pickles before. I would be curious to try it. I’ll have to add this onto my list of recipe to try this summer.
Denise and Laura recently posted..Canada Day Cupcakes
There is always something new you can pickle! I hope you like it … I really liked it, my hubby not so much
But I always have liked just about anything pickled!
Hi Jane, interesting post you have here. I’ve had pickled watermelons (mmm, love it!) but pickled cantaloupe? Not yet…
Marina@Picnic at Marina recently posted..Cold Summer Salad: Spicy Barley and Sorrel
Thanks Marina
I haven’t picked watermelon, but I have pickled watermelon rind, and I did not like it very much … this however, is such a great combo of sweet and vinegary .. I love it!
I have never had cantaloupe pickles, but this looks doable–my husband has taken a sudden interest in pickling, so I will show this to him.
Cucina49 recently posted..Apron Anxiety
Nice! The process is a little long since it does take 2 days, but I love things like that! I think it makes it more exciting when you have to wait a little longer to get results
I have not tried cantaloupe pickles. They sound interesting.
Thanks for linking this up at the Carnival of Home Preserving!
Laura @ Laura Williams Musings recently posted..Carnival of Home Preserving #18 – Come Link Up!
Thanks Laura! I also tried your cantaloupe jelly with some left over cantaloupe – it was really good, thanks for sharing!
I can not quite imagine this. My grandmother made sweet pickles (cucumber) when I was growing up. I loved them. Loved the crunch and the sweet. I would like to taste these cantaloupe pickles.
kimberly montgomery recently posted..On Friday I will be at Jenny’s!
You can pickle just about anything!
I really like them!
Well, I would have never thought of doing this, but it really does make sense! Sweet, tart, spicy combo sounds amazing!
Lisa recently posted..Summer Dinner: Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
Thanks Lisa, I totally agree – I think it is the perfect flavor combo!
Love this idea! I’m allergic to cucumbers, so I really like this idea!
Brittany (Delights and Delectables) recently posted..Blueberry Buckwheat Yogurt Muffins
ahhh sorry about cucumbers. I love all kinds of pickles … have you ever had pickled okra? If the okra in my garden grows, I am definitely trying that!
What a unique recipe! I’ve never heard of pickled cantaloupe! Since I love just about anything pickled, I’m sure I would love these!!!! Now if I can just not eat the cantaloupe first!
I know, that is my problem too! So good and sweet!
Jane, wow cantaloupe pickles… so interesting. I am definitely passing your recipe on to my jammin/pickling husband.
xo
E
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