Sweet & Spicy Southern Melon Cubes

• 3 cups vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon whole allspice
• 1 teaspoon slivered whole fresh nutmeg
• 13 cups cantaloupe, cubes 1 inch sized
• 4 12 cups white sugar

1. Combine vinegar and water in a large saucepot; tie spices into a spice bag (cheesecloth or even 2 coffee filters tied at the end works fine) and add to vinegar mixture.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for five minutes.
3. Remove from heat and add the melon; let stand for two hours.
4. Add the sugar; bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
5. Reduce heat; simmer until cantaloupe becomes somewhat transparent, stirring periodically to make sure all the melon gets submerged in the liquid.
6. Pack hot melon into waiting hot half pint jars, leaving a 1/4 inch headspace then ladle hot pickling liquid over melon, leaving a 1/4 inch headspace.
7. Remove air bubbles and process for ten minutes in a boiling water bath.
8. Note- you can sub an equal amount of pickling spice for the spices listed.
9. The flavor will be slightly different but still good (I'd suggest using a bit extra cinnamon though if you do that).
10. Also, you can simply make small melon balls instead of going to the trouble of cubing it.

vinegar, water, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole allspice, fresh nutmeg, cantaloupe, white sugar

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/sweet-spicy-southern-melon-cubes-215341 (may not work)