Forktionary

Watermelon Rind Preserves Recipe

Transform leftover watermelon rinds into a delicious and unique treat! This family recipe, passed down through generations, turns what would normally be discarded into a sweet and tangy preserve perfect for spreading on toast, biscuits, or enjoying with cheese. Don't waste those rinds – unlock their hidden potential with this easy-to-follow recipe.

Prep Time 60 mins
Cook Time 440 mins
Calories 523.2 kcal
Protein 0g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Watermelon Rind Preserves 17

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Watermelon Rind Preserves

  • 6 cups cubed watermelon rind (about 1/2 of a large watermelon), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt
  • Water for blanching (approximately 8 cups)
  • Lemon
  • Ground Ginger
  • 4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Watermelon Rind Preserves? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Watermelon Rind Preserves

  1. Wash and peel the watermelon rind, removing any pink flesh. Cut the rind into 1-inch thick strips.
  2. Place the rind strips in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, then drain and repeat this process twice more. This removes any bitterness.
  3. Combine the blanched rind with water, sugar, lemon juice, and lime juice in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 3-3.5 hours, or until the rind is translucent and tender. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
  5. Stir in the vanilla extract during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
  6. Once the preserves have thickened to a desired consistency, remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  7. Ladle the hot preserves into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean and seal tightly.
  8. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure proper sealing and preservation. Let the jars cool completely before checking the seals. Store in a cool, dark place.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

65 g

Sugar

533g

Fat

0g

Carbs

45g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Weeknight Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation Jams And Preserves Canning Condiments Etc Fruit Dietary Melons Number Of Servings Technique