Ripe Watermelon Preserves π
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours
Yield: 2 pints
Description:
Indulge in the refreshing essence of summer with these homemade Ripe Watermelon Preserves. Bursting with fruity flavors and a hint of spice, these preserves are perfect for spreading on toast, topping desserts, or enjoying straight from the jar. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, this recipe from lovewithrecipes.com is sure to become a seasonal favorite.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 4641.8
- Fat Content: 4.2g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0.5g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 617.9mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 1189g
- Fiber Content: 12.1g
- Sugar Content: 1150.8g
- Protein Content: 15.2g
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 4 | Watermelon |
| 5 cups | Sugar |
| 1/4 tsp | Salt |
| 1/2 cup | Cider vinegar |
| 2 slices | Lemon |
| 1 | Cinnamon stick |
| 1 | Ground cloves |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Watermelon:
- Start by dicing the watermelon into small pieces.
- Place the diced watermelon in a colander and, using your hands, gently squeeze out as much juice as possible.
- Allow the watermelon to drain for about 1 hour, ensuring that excess liquid is removed.
-
Combine Ingredients:
- In a large heavy kettle or pot, combine the drained watermelon with sugar, salt, cider vinegar, and lemon slices.
- Bundle up the cinnamon stick and ground cloves in a cheesecloth bag and add it to the pot. This will infuse the preserves with warm, aromatic flavors.
-
Cook Slowly:
- Place the kettle over low heat and cook the mixture slowly for 50-60 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- The preserves will gradually thicken and develop a glossy texture as they simmer away, filling your kitchen with delightful aromas.
-
Sterilize Jars:
- While the preserves are cooking, prepare your jars for canning. Wash them thoroughly with hot, soapy water and sterilize them by boiling in a large pot of water for a few minutes.
- Make sure to also sterilize the lids by placing them in a bowl of boiling water.
-
Can the Preserves:
- Once the preserves reach the desired consistency and the flavors have melded beautifully, it’s time to can them.
- Carefully ladle the hot preserves into the sterilized jars, leaving a bit of headspace at the top.
- Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth to ensure a tight seal, then place the lids on top and screw on the bands.
- Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to seal them properly. Remove from the water bath and allow them to cool completely.
-
Enjoy:
- Once cooled, check that all lids are properly sealed before storing the jars in a cool, dark place.
- These delicious Ripe Watermelon Preserves are now ready to enjoy whenever you crave a taste of summer. Spread them on toast, swirl them into yogurt, or use them as a topping for ice cream and desserts. Share them with family and friends, or savor them all to yourself β the choice is yours!
