Watermelon Rind Marmalade Food

WATERMELON RIND MARMALADE

Steps:

• Leave a little of the red flesh (a very thin layer) when removing the flesh. Then peel off the green outer skin so only the white and pink rind is left. Chop this into small pieces. A medium watermelon should give you about 4 cups of chopped rind pieces.
• Put the chopped rind, the orange zest and juice, grated ginger, juice of the limes and 1 cup water into a thick bottomed and largish pot. Bring to a boil and turn down the heat. Drop the halves of the orange (and the limes if you're using them) into the pot. Let the mixture simmer until the rind is cooked and the liquid has reduced to about 1/4 cup.
• Remove the orange and lime skins. Mix in the sugar, the allspice powder and the salt. Let it cook and the mixture thicken a bit. Stir in the butter and take the pot off the stove.
• Let it cool. Transfer to sterile glass jars.

WATERMELON RIND PRESERVES

Steps:

• Peel off the green part of the watermelon rind, and slice into 2 inch pieces. Soak the rind in a solution of 1 gallon water and 1/2 cup salt overnight.
• Remove rind from the salt water, and place in a stockpot with clean water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and cook for about 30 minutes, or until the rind is tender. Drain.
• In a large pot, combine the sugar, 8 cups water, and sliced lemons. Tie the cinnamon and cloves into a cheesecloth bag, and place in the pot. Bring the syrup to a boil, and boil for 5 minutes. Add the rinds, and cook until transparent. Remove spice bag. Stir in red food coloring, if using. Ladle preserves into hot sterile jars, and process to seal.

WATERMELON MARMALADE

Steps:

• Trim green skin and pink pulp from the thick watermelon rind.
• Chop rind and measure out 6 cups; then soak chopped rind in water for 18 hours In preserving kettle, combine rind, soaking water and all remaining ingredients.
• Cook over low leat stirring frequently until the jelly reaches 220-222F or until the syrup sheets when droped from a spoon.
• This takes about 1 1/2 hours.
• Ladle into hot sterilized jars and seal immediately.

WATERMELON RIND JAM

Steps:

• The first step is to peel off the tough green skin, chop up the white remains with some of the pink still on it.
• In a stainless steel saucepan (or Dutch oven), add the rinds, apple pieces, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla. Bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Lower heat and stir until the rind is tender and translucent (could take up 60-120 minutes...mine took about 1 hour).
• When it is translucent, remove from heat. Let cool down and carefully emulsify.
• Carefully spoon the jam into sterilized jars. Apply lids jars.
• Wipe rims with a clean, damp towel and screw lids on securely but not too tightly.
• Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
• Carefully remove jars using tongs. Use potholders to tighten the lids. Place jars on a rack upside-down and let them cool. When they've cooled down, store them in the refrigerator. The jam should keep unopened for several months.

WATERMELON RIND PRESERVES

Steps:

• Trim green skin and pink flesh from watermelon rind; chop enough rind to yield 6 cups. In a large bowl, stir salt and 2 quarts warm water until salt is dissolved. Add 6 cups chopped rind. Cover and refrigerate 5-6 hours. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain. Cover rind with cold water and let stand 30 minutes. Drain. Transfer rind to a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until just tender, 10-15 minutes; drain., To make preserves, in a stockpot, combine sugar, lemon juice and 7 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Stir in rind. Place cinnamon, cloves and cardamom on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose seasonings; tie securely with string. Add to stockpot. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until rind is clear, 30-45 minutes. Discard spice bag., Remove from heat. Ladle hot mixture into 6 hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight., Place jars into canner with water simmering, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

WATERMELON RIND PICKLES

Steps:

• Place rind in a large nonreactive bowl; stir in water and salt. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Rinse and drain well., In a Dutch oven, mix sugar, vinegar, 2 cinnamon sticks, cloves and peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Add rinds; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes or until tender. Discard cinnamon sticks., Carefully ladle hot mixture into 4 hot 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Add a remaining cinnamon stick to each jar. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

PICKLED WATERMELON RIND (JUST TO MAKE YOU HOMESICK)

Steps:

• Pare rind and all pink edges from the watermelon.
• Cut into 1-inch squares or fancy shapes as desired.
• Cover with brine made by mixing 1/4 cup of salt with1 quart cold water.
• Soak overnight.
• Drain brine.
• Cover with cold water and cook until fork tender, about 10 minutes (do not overcook).
• Drain.
• Tie spices in a cheesecloth bag and remove before rind is bottled.
• Make a hot pickling solution of remaining ingredients and spices, add drained rind and boil rapidly ntil rind becomes clear (about ten minutes).
• Fill Sterilized jars.
• Adjust jar lids as in fresh-pack dills.
• Process in boiling water bath for 5 minutes.
• Set jars upright, several inches apart, on a wire rack to cool.