Watermelon Rind Candy – Delicious & Easy!
Have you ever carved up a wonderfully juicy watermelon on a sweltering summer’s afternoon, only to be left with a large pile of green-and-white rind once the sweet, pink fruit is gone? What if we were to tell you that the very part you typically discard can be transformed into a beautifully sweet, chewy, and utterly delightful confection?
It’s true—that humble rind can become spectacular Watermelon Rind Candy. This is a nostalgic sweet that champions a zero-waste kitchen, reminding us that the finest treasures are often hidden in plain sight. In this guide, we will lead you through every stage of making this wonderful treat, turning kitchen scraps into something truly special.
Table of Contents
What Exactly is Watermelon Rind Candy?
Watermelon rind candy is a traditional confection created by candying the white pith of the watermelon. This process involves boiling the prepared rind to soften it, followed by a long, slow simmer in a rich sugar syrup until it turns tender, translucent, and is completely saturated with sweetness. The final creation is a chewy, glistening, jewel-like sweet with a surprisingly sophisticated flavour—think of a gourmet gummy sweet with a delicate, fresh hint of melon. It serves as a fantastic example of old-fashioned ingenuity, a technique our grandparents might have used to ensure not a single bit of food went to waste.
Why You Should Try This Watermelon Rind Recipe
If the thought of a unique, homemade sweet isn’t persuasive enough, we have plenty of other excellent reasons for you to give this recipe a go. We believe it’s a kitchen adventure everyone ought to embark on at least once!
- Embrace Sustainable Cooking: This is the ultimate zero-waste snack. By utilising the rind, you are actively reducing food waste in your household, which is a brilliant step towards a more sustainable way of life. It’s a delicious method for honouring the whole fruit and making your food budget stretch further. For more information on the global movement to reduce food waste, you can explore resources from the UN Environment Programme.
- Surprisingly Delicious: Don’t let its modest origins deceive you. This candy is genuinely tasty. Its texture is firm yet satisfyingly chewy, and you can easily customise the flavour with spices such as cinnamon, ginger, or star anise.
- Inexpensive and Simple: The main ingredients are watermelon rind, sugar, and water—items you most likely have on hand or can acquire very cheaply. There’s no need for any specialist equipment, just a little of your time and patience.
- A Fun and Rewarding Project: Witnessing the transformation from a tough, bland rind into a sweet, glistening candy is almost like magic. It makes for a wonderful weekend project, whether you do it solo or with your family, and the results are immensely satisfying.
Gathering Your Ingredients and Tools
Before we get started on how to make watermelon rind candy, let’s ensure we have everything we need ready. The list of ingredients is refreshingly short and straightforward.
Essential Ingredients
- Rind from 1 medium-sized watermelon (about 1kg of prepared rind)
- 1kg granulated sugar, plus extra for coating
- 1 litre of water
- 1 large lemon, juiced (about 2-3 tablespoons)
- Optional flavourings: a cinnamon stick, a few cloves, a slice of fresh ginger, or a teaspoon of vanilla extract
Necessary Kitchen Tools
- Large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- Vegetable peeler
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Colander or sieve
- Slotted spoon
- Wire cooling rack
- Baking tray
How to Make Watermelon Rind Candy: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this candy is more a test of patience than of skill. We’ve broken the entire process down into five clear steps. Follow these, and you’ll be savouring your homemade sweets before you know it.
Step 1: Prepare the Watermelon Rind
First things first, we must prepare the rind. Once you’ve finished the pink fruit, take the leftover rind and use a sharp knife to slice off any remaining pink bits. After that, use a good vegetable peeler to remove the tough, dark green outer skin. You should be left with only the firm, pale white part of the rind. Chop this white section into uniform shapes, such as 2-3 cm cubes or 1 cm thick batons. Keeping the size consistent ensures they will all cook through evenly.
Step 2: Soften the Rind
Place your prepared rind pieces into a large pot and cover them completely with cold water. Bring the water to a boil over a medium-high heat. As soon as it’s boiling, lower the heat and allow it to simmer for roughly 25-30 minutes, or until the rind is tender enough to be pierced easily with a fork. This step is vital for achieving that perfect chewy texture. Once tender, drain the rind thoroughly using a colander and set it to one side.
Step 3: Create the Sugar Syrup
Using the same large pot (after giving it a quick rinse), combine the 1kg of granulated sugar with the 1 litre of water. Heat this over a medium flame, stirring gently until the sugar has fully dissolved. Bring your syrup to a gentle boil. This is the moment to add your lemon juice and any optional flavourings you’ve chosen, like a cinnamon stick or a slice of ginger. The lemon juice not only provides a lovely brightness but also helps to prevent the sugar from crystallising.
Step 4: Candy the Rind
Gently add the boiled and drained watermelon rind into the sugar syrup. Reduce the heat to low and let the rind simmer very gently. This is the stage that calls for patience. We need to allow it to simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the rind has turned translucent and the syrup has thickened up nicely. Stir every so often to stop the pieces from catching on the bottom of the pot. The rind will slowly absorb the sweet syrup, transforming into beautiful, gem-like morsels.
Step 5: Dry Your Candy
Once the rind is translucent, use a slotted spoon to carefully lift the pieces out of the syrup. (Don’t discard that syrup! It’s now a delicious watermelon-infused liquid, perfect for cocktails or sweetening iced tea.) Arrange the hot candy pieces in a single layer on a wire rack that has been placed over a baking tray to catch any drips. Let them air-dry for at least 8-12 hours, or until they are no longer tacky to the touch. For a classic finish, toss the dried candy in a bowl of extra granulated sugar until each piece is evenly coated.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Candied Watermelon Rind
To make sure your candy-making journey is a sweet success, we have put together a few extra pointers.
- Pick the Right Watermelon: While any watermelon will do the trick, those with a thicker rind provide more substantial and satisfying pieces of candy.
- Flavour Variations are Fun: Don’t be shy about experimenting! A star anise pod, a few cardamom pods, or even a strip of orange peel can introduce a wonderful aromatic depth to your sweets.
- Proper Storage is Key: Once fully dry, store your watermelon rind candy in an airtight container at room temperature. A light dusting of cornflour or icing sugar in the container can help stop them from sticking. It should keep well for several weeks.
- Patience Makes Perfect: The slow, gentle simmer is absolutely essential. Rushing this stage by boiling the syrup too fiercely can lead to tough, overly sugary sweets instead of tender, translucent gems.
Creative Ways to Use Your Homemade Candy
Beyond just enjoying them as a sweet, there are many inventive uses for your homemade watermelon rind candy. Its chewy texture and sweet taste make it an incredibly versatile ingredient.
- Baking Brilliance: Finely dice the candy and use it as a substitute for mixed peel in fruitcakes, scones, or muffins. It would add a delightful chewiness to something like these Blueberry Heaven Cookies The Definitive Recipe For Soft Chewy Perfection.
- Dessert Garnish: Use whole pieces to adorn cakes, cupcakes, or even a simple bowl of ice cream. Their glistening look adds an elegant finishing touch.
- Cocktail Companion: A strip of candied rind makes for a fantastic and edible garnish in a gin and tonic or a summer spritz.
- Trail Mix Addition: Combine the candy with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit for a bespoke trail mix with a uniquely sweet character. It’s a great way to add something special, similar to the coconut in our Almond Joy Cookie Recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use the rind from any type of watermelon?
Yes, you certainly can! However, we find that traditional watermelons with thicker rinds (such as the large, striped varieties) tend to yield the best results. They simply give you more of the white pith to work with, leading to chunkier and more satisfying pieces of candy.
How long does watermelon rind candy last?
When dried correctly and stored in an airtight container at room temperature, your candy should stay fresh for several weeks, possibly even a couple of months. Just be sure to protect it from humidity, which can make it become sticky again.
My candy is too hard/soft. What did I do wrong?
If your candy turned out too hard, you might have cooked the syrup at too high a temperature or for too long. If it’s overly soft and sticky, it may not have been simmered for long enough or simply needs more time to dry. Don’t fret—it will still be delicious! Just leave it to dry for another day or so.
Is this watermelon rind recipe healthy?
While it does originate from a healthy fruit, we must be realistic: this is a candy. It is made with a considerable amount of sugar, so it should be viewed as a sweet treat to be enjoyed in moderation. On the plus side, it is free from the artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives often found in shop-bought sweets.
Why is my rind still bitter?
A slight bitterness can sometimes remain if you haven’t removed all of the thin, dark green outer skin. This part of the rind contains compounds that can taste bitter. Be thorough with your vegetable peeler during the preparation stage to ensure you are only using the pale, white pith.
Conclusion: A Sweet Taste of Sustainability
Making watermelon rind candy is so much more than following a recipe; it’s a delightful exploration into the world of sustainable cooking. It connects us to a more resourceful time while allowing us to create something genuinely delicious for today. By taking a part of the fruit we would normally throw away and transforming it into a sparkling, chewy treat, we not only reduce waste but also discover a new favourite sweet.
So, the next time you bring home a watermelon, remember to save the rind! Give this classic watermelon rind recipe a try and experience the kitchen magic for yourself. We would be thrilled to see your creations, so please feel free to share your results and any unique flavour experiments in the comments below!
