Fried Watermelon Rinds

Serves:

Ingredients:

1/3 c Corn meal
1/3 c All-purpose flour
1 ts Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 c Shortening or vegetable oil
2 c Watermelon rind, cubed

Method:

Mix together the corn meal, flour, salt, and pepper.
Heat the oil to 350F.
in a heavy 10-inch iron skillet.
Roll the cubed rind in the corn meal mixture and add to the hot oil.
Fry about 8-10 minutes until lightly browned.
Stir gently and cook about 4-5 minutes more until browned all over.
Drain on paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
Eat while hot.
As good as fried okra! Peel the rinds with a knife, saving only the white part of the rind which is cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
1 DUPREE, Nathalie New Southern Cooking Borzoi Book, Alfred A.
Knopf New York Submitted by John Hartman Indianapolis, IN