Kevin's Mirin-Pickled Watermelon Bites

Watermelon balls pickled in a sweet mirin, rice vinegar, garlic, dill, and thyme brine, chilled for a full day, then finished with fresh minced mint.

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Ingredients

• •3 cups watermelon, balled
• •7 cloves garlic cloves
• •¼ cup mirin
• •½ cup rice vinegar
• •1 cup sugar
• •2 cups water
• •4 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
• •1 small bunch fresh dill, bruised
• •2 tbsp fresh mint, minced
• •local honey, for drizzling (optional) (to taste)

Steps

1. Garlic: Add the garlic cloves to a small saucepan.
2. 1/4 cup mirin: Add ¼ cup mirin to the saucepan.
3. 1/2 cup rice vinegar: Add ½ cup rice vinegar.
4. 1 cup sugar: Add 1 cup sugar and stir to combine.
5. 2 cups water: Add 2 cups of water to the saucepan.
6. Thyme: Add the fresh thyme sprigs to the brine.
7. "Bruise" dill: Bruise the fresh dill between your hands to release its oils, then add it to the saucepan.
8. Simmer herbs: Bring the brine to a simmer with the garlic, thyme, and dill.
9. "Ball" melons: Use a melon baller to scoop the watermelon into rounds.
10. Pour over: Pour the hot brine over the watermelon balls.
11. Fridge 24 hour: Cover and refrigerate the watermelon in the brine for 24 hours to pickle, letting everyone get to know each other along the way.
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12. Mince mint: Finely mince the fresh mint.
13. Mix: Toss the minced mint with the pickled watermelon balls.
14. Enjoy: Serve chilled and enjoy.