Sweet Canatloupe Pickles

I know the gardens are done here in the Ozarks, but here another canning recipe.

Sweet Cantaloupe Pickles

4 medium cantaloupe
3 cups vinegar
2 cup water
2 cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 1/2 cup sugar

Cut cantaloupe in half , remove seeds and cut melon into balls or one inch cubes. Combine vinegar, water and spices in a large 6-8 quart stainless steel or unchipped enamel saucepan .Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat , add melon and let stand 1 1/2 -2 hours.
Prepare home canning jars and lids according to manufacturers instructions.
Add sugar to cantaloupe mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes to 1 hour or until cantaloupe becomes slightly transparent
pack melon balls into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Carefully pour hot syrup over melon balls, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Remove air bubbles with a non-metallic spatula. Adjust caps.
Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath canner. Makes about five 12 -oz jars.