Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
 Thank you for your readership and contributions. 

TODAY

Friday, March 29

Gapers Block
Search

Gapers Block on Facebook Gapers Block on Flickr Gapers Block on Twitter The Gapers Block Tumblr


Drive-Thru
« Farmers Markets Opening for Business Friday Foodpic: Bitter Melon »

Recipe Wed May 27 2015

Pickling Watermelon: A Refreshing Summer Dish

6848901867_8ef2b40439_z.jpgOne thing that pops up after large floods--besides animal corpses and mold in your walls-are watermelons. After the waters recede and sunshine glares upon the wet earth, watermelons begin appearing in the oddest places--on the side of roads, in the front yard. It may be just a Southern thang, but what a wonderful thang it is.

Because watermelons produce so much waste, one trick I learned during my childhood was pickling watermelon rinds. Sweet and tender, these rinds pair well with grilled pork, ramen, and pretty much anything. So here's one more recipe for the pickling movement:

Ingredients
One watermelon (4-5 pounds)
1 cup sugar
1 cup rice vinegar (or regular vinegar)
½ cup water
Thai chili
2 star anise pods
3 teaspoons salt

Directions
1. Pare away the green outer rind from the watermelon and throw away.
2. Slice watermelon into 2 inch by 2 inch squares, about an inch thick. It doesn't have to be perfectly cut.
3. Place the rest of your ingredients into large pot, stirring until everything is dissolved. Add your rind and cook until it starts to boil. Reduce your heat and simmer until you can poke through the rind with a fork. Making sure that your rind is completely submerged in the liquid, remove from heat and cool.
4. Once cooled, transfer all contents to an airtight container (e.g. empty pickle jar) and chill.

 
GB store
GB store

Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

The State of Food Writing

By Brandy Gonsoulin

In 2009, food blogging, social media and Yelp were gaining popularity, and America's revered gastronomic magazine Gourmet shuttered after 68 years in business. Former Cook's Illustrated editor-in-chief Chris Kimball followed with an editorial, stating that "The shuttering of Gourmet reminds...
Read this feature »

GB store

 

Events


Drive-Thru on Flickr

Join the Drive-Thru Flickr Pool.


About Drive-Thru

Drive-Thru is the food and drink section of Gapers Block, covering the city's vibrant dining, drinking and cooking scene. More...
Please see our submission guidelines.

Editor: Robyn Nisi, rn@gapersblock.com
Drive-Thru staff inbox: drivethru@gapersblock.com

Archives

 

 Subscribe in a reader.

GB store

GB Store

GB Buttons $1.50

GB T-Shirt $12

I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15