1. Wash and dry watermelon. Slice a small portion off each end of the watermelon, creating a levelled surface for resting while peeling. With a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife, pare the green part of the skin from the melon. Discard skin.

2. Slice melon in half (end to end). Cut into ½- to ¾-inch thick slices. With a paring knife, remove flesh from the rind leaving about ⅛ to ¼ inch of the pink flesh on the rind. Slice rinds between 2 to 3 inches long.

3. With a handheld blender, puree 1 cup of the watermelon until smooth. Strain the watermelon puree of any solids, using a fine mesh sieve, into a bowl. Reserve the 1 cup (250 ml) of juice.

4. In a small pot heat up ½ cup (125 ml) of water with the sea salt. Stir until salt is dissolved. Pour the salt water into a large glass bowl or container. Add the remaining 4 cups (1000 ml) of cold water, stirring to thoroughly combine. Add the watermelon rinds to the brining solution. Ensure all rinds are submerged in the brine by using a plate to weigh them down. Place container into the fridge; 3 hours or up to overnight.

In a colander, rinse watermelon rinds well under cold water and allow to drain.

In a tea filter or a square of cheesecloth, wrap the crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves, bay leaves, and whole peppercorns together. Seal or tie off the sachet d’épices.  

In a large, non-reactive pot, combine the apple cider vinegar, reserved watermelon juice, the Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, Redpath® Granulated Sugar, sliced ginger, cinnamon stick, thyme, strips of lime zest, and the sachet d’épices.

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Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugars. Lower heat, cover with a lid, and simmer for 10 minutes to infuse flavours.

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Carefully add the watermelon rinds to the hot liquid.

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Bring the mixture back to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and gently simmer rinds until translucent; about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Remove pot from heat. With the help of tongs or a slotted spoon, remove ginger slices, cinnamon stick, thyme, lime zest, and the sachet d’épices. Discard.

Cool watermelon rinds to at least room temperature. Add in blackberries; stir to distribute.

Transfer cooled rinds and berries to an airtight container or jars, ensuring pickles are submerged in the pickle solution. For best flavour, allow pickles to stand in the refrigerator for at least 2 days; consume within a month. The pickled rinds and berries should be kept refrigerated.

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