How to Make Watermelon Rind Preserves: A Canning Recipe

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By HS Schulte
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Make Watermelon Rind Preserves: A Canning Recipe

Watermelon provides a sweet, healthful treat on hot summer days. Most people throw out the rind, but did you know that you can use it? Watermelon rind preserves were made by my grandmother and are a true representation of the idea, "waste not, want not." They are wonderful!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

1 1/2 quarts Watermelon rind (prepared)
4 T Salt
1 T Ginger
2 C Sugar
2 C Honey
1/4 C lemon juice
1/2 C thinly sliced lemon

Step 1

Prepare the rind: Remove the green skin and the pink fruit left on the rind. All that should remain is the white rind. Cut the rind into 1 inch squares. In a large stock pot, dissolve the salt into 2 quarts of water. I use sea salt, but any will do. Place the rind into the salt water. Allow the rind to stand at room temperature for 6 hours. Drain the water. Rinse the rind. Cover the rind with cold water and let it stand in the cold water for 30 minutes. Drain the water from the rind. Sprinkle the ginger over the rind. Cover the rind once more with water and simmer until the rind becomes tender. Drain the water from the watermelon rind.
Step 2

Add to the rind sugar, honey, lemon juice and 1 1/2 quarts of water. Bring it to a boil and allow it to boil until the rind is transparent and the liquid thickens or gels. Add lemon and cook 5 more minutes.
Step 3

Remove the watermelon rind from the heat. Skim foam from the top of the preserves if necessary. Using a ladle and jar funnel spoon into sterilized jars leaving 1/2 an inch of space at the top.
Step 4

Place sterilized rings and lids on the jars and process in a water bath canner for 25 minutes. Remove the jars from the canner and allow to rest undisturbed overnight. The jars should begin to seal after a few hours.

Comments

jillmaria said

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on 8/27/2009 Thanks for this great article in utilizing watermelon rinds. We are growing our first this season and I want to get as much as I can out of the melon. 5 stars!!