EVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY
THEME: JAMS, JELLIES, RELISHES, CHUTNEYS
RECIPE: WATERMELON RIND JAM
Watermelon Rind Jam is so easy to make, superbly delicious without any preservatives or artificial colouring. It is a fantastic way to use up the white part of the watermelon which in fact is full of healthy nutrients.
Why Is Watermelon Rind Good?
The white part is equally nutritious as the red part of the watermelon if not more. It contains higher concentrations of certain minerals, antioxidants and vitamins. It has high concentrations of Vitamins A,B6 and C. Also is rich in potassium and zinc. Watermelon contains the highest amount of amino acid citrulline which converts to arginine in our bodies.
How To Use Watermelon Rind?
- Add to smoothies and juices. Chop the white part and add to your smoothies and fresh juices.
- I sometimes add them to soups.
- WATERMELON RIND SALADWatermelon Rind Salad is a crunchy, super healthy salad. It is a good way to include the white rind part of the watermelon in your diet as it is very nutritious.Check out this recipe
- I add the grated white part to savoury pancakes, thepla, muthiya. I usually replace the bottle gourd or zucchini with grated watermelon rind.
- Use the white part to make a curry or sabji as Poonam has done.
- Make a delicious chutney as Seema does.
A Bit About The Group:
Shhh Cooking Secretly group is all about like minded food bloggers getting together and cooking dishes according to the theme suggested by members. The only difference is that we pair up participants where they give each two secret ingredients to use in their dishes. This month’s theme Jams, Jellies, Relishes and Chutneys was decided by Preeti who blogs at Cakes And Curries. She has prepared a …
My Partner
This month my partner is Sujata who blogs at Batter Up With Sujata. Lemon Juice and Cardamom are the ingredients she gave me. In return I asked to use use cinnamon and date powder. Using those ingredients she prepared a healthy,tasty and innovative Apple And Grape Jam.
My Watermelon Rind Jam
- What I like about this recipe is that though it is a small quantity recipe, you can easily double or triple the recipe to suit your needs. I personally like to make small batches of jams so that when it is over, it gives me the opportunity to try out another fruit jam.
- Secondly, to get a bit of the reddish pink colour I added a bit of beetroot. Watermelon rind is quite tasteless. To add more flavour I added cardamom powder. One can easily add a flavouring or spice of their choice. Next on the list to try out is Watermelon and Chilli Jam.
- Next time I would chop the watermelon much finer. The larger the pieces the longer it takes to cook. Also you can blend the jam into a smooth paste or leave it a little coarse. I left mine a little coarse. Add sugar according to your taste. I used normal white sugar. If you choose to use coconut sugar, brown sugar, jaggery then obviously the jam will not be red in colour.
- It is important to mix the sugar and chopped watermelon white and red parts. Then allow it to rest for 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge. This way the sugar melts into a liquid which helps in the cooking of the watermelon. If it is not allowed to rest then you would have to add water.
Some Jam Recipes You May Like To Check Out
APPLE GINGER & TURMERIC JAM
Apple Ginger & Turmeric Jam is very easy to make and delicious. This home made apple jam with a bit of fresh ginger and turmeric has no artificial colouring or preservatives.
Check out this recipe
PAPAYA LEMON JAM
Papaya Lemon Jam is a delicious, pectin free, easy to make condiment. It actually is the best way to use up papaya that is totally bland.
Check out this recipe
Ingredients Required For Watermelon Rind Jam
- Watermelon Rind – slice off the red part of the watermelon. Peel off the green part using a sharp knife. Cut the white part into very small pieces or grate it.
- Watermelon – I like to add a bit of the red part of the watermelon too as it adds fibre and natural sweetness.
- Apple – I used a green apple, peeled and chopped. It adds to the bulk and also because of the natural pectin from the apple.
- Sugar – I have used normal white sugar. Add according to your taste.
- Lemon – you need both the juice and the grated rind. I have used the large yellow Eureka one.
- Beetroot – I added a bit of grated raw beetroot for the colour.
- Cardamom Powder – add when the jam is nearly done. Can replace it any spice of your choice. I find that cardamom pairs well with it.
Watch How To Make Watermelon Rind Jam
WATERMELON RIND JAM
Watermelon Rind Jam is so easy to make, superbly delicious without any preservatives or artificial colouring. It is a fantastic way to use up the white part of the watermelon which in fact is full of healthy nutrients.
Servings 1 CUP
Ingredients
- 4 cups white watermelon rind peeled and finely chopped
- 1 cup red watermelon finely chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1-2 tbsp lemon rind grated
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup raw beetroot grated
- 1 large green apple peeled and chopped
Instructions
- Slice the watermelon. Chop the red part to make up to at least 1 cup or more.
- Peel off the green part. Finely chop the white part till you have 4 cups full.
- Peel, core and chop the green apple into pieces.
- Add the white and red watermelon along with the apple into a wide pan that you will use for cooking the jam.
- Add lemon juice, lemon rind and sugar to the mixture. Mix well.
- Allow the mixture to rest for 30 minutes. This will allow the sugar to melt and the liquid will help in cooking the watermelon. If you want to, you can put the mixture in the fridge and leave it overnight.
- Heat the mixture over medium to high heat till it comes to a gentle boil.
- Lower the heat and allow the mixture to simmer. You can cover the pot so that the watermelon rind cooks faster.
- In between give the mixture a gentle stir so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- When the rind appears translucent and soft, add the grated beetroot. This takes about 20-30 minutes over medium heat.
- Blend the mixture with a hand blender. You can blend it to a smooth consistency or a slightly coarse one. I left mine a bit coarse.
- Cook till the water disappears completely and the mixture is thick. Mine took about 20 minutes.
- Add cardamom powder and mix well.
- Spoon the jam into a sterilized jar or bottle. I usually sterilize the bottle in the microwave oven for 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- I don't add the grated beetroot at the beginning because it becomes difficult to know if the watermelon rind has become translucent.
- Add any spice of your choice. Add cardamom at the end as it loses it flavour if cooked with the jam.
- Can sterilize the jar or bottle in the oven or in hot water.
- Apple adds naturally pectin to the jam.
- Add sugar according to your taste.
Pin For Later:
A Little Request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
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