Discover Unusual Foods Perfect for Pickling

Discovering new foods to pickle can be an exciting adventure in the kitchen, offering unique flavors and textures that enhance both the appearance and taste of your meals. In this article, we will explore two unconventional foods that, when pickled, transform into delightful treats. We'll start with the sweet and tangy pickled watermelon rind and then dive into the intriguing world of pickled animal penises.

Pickled Watermelon Rind: A Sweet and Tangy Delight

One unusual but delicious food to pickle is watermelon rind. While most people discard the tough exterior, pickling it transforms the exterior into a sweet and tangy treat. To make pickled watermelon rind, follow this simple recipe:

Ingredients:

Watermelon rind, peeled and cut into strips Sugar Vinegar (white or apple cider) Water Salt Spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger

Instructions:

Prepare the Rind: Remove the green outer skin and cut the white part of the rind into strips or cubes. Make the Brine: In a pot, combine equal parts vinegar and water. Add sugar and salt to taste and throw in your chosen spices. Bring to a boil until the sugar and salt dissolve. Pickle the Rind: Add the watermelon rind to the brine and simmer for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes tender. Cool and Store: Let it cool, then transfer to a jar and refrigerate. It's best after a few days when the flavors have melded.

Pickled watermelon rind can be enjoyed on its own as a garnish or even in salads, adding a unique flavor and crunch!

Pickled Animal Penises: A Family Tradition

My grandmother was the all-time pickler of animal penises. Personally, I think she did it as a warning to her husband. He never hit her once. Most of her friends were hit all the time, and they were not animal-penis picklers. You do the math. She would leave the jars with the pickled animal penises around the house, but we only ate them on special holidays.

Holiday Traditions:

“He wouldn't dare hit me”: Sacred in our family. “Go ahead make my day and ruin yours”: Another sacred holiday. “You'll know it when you eat it”: A humorous and meaningful occasion.

Those holidays were sacred in our family. I know we were different because we kept celebrating holidays with strange names that no one could pronounce. As I got older, I learned to speak my grandmother's language and understood all the extra holidays. Ironically, my grandfather couldn't speak a word of it. They didn't have Oprah or Dr. Phil in those days, but my grandfather got the message anyway.

These unique pickling traditions add a layer of history and culture to the foods we enjoy, making every bite a story of family and heritage.

Conclusion

Whether you're experimenting with pickled watermelon rind or exploring the world of pickled animal penises, these unconventional pickling projects offer a world of flavor and tradition. Incorporate these unique recipes into your culinary repertoire, and you'll discover new ways to enhance your dishes and share the stories of your family's traditions.

References

EatingWell: Best Way to Preserve Watermelon Rind Rodale's Organic Life: Pickled Animal Parts