When most people eat a watermelon, they only consume the red inner meat and discard the remaining watermelon in the trash (or compost pile, if you’re a gardener). If that describes you, that’s fine, but you should be aware that using the full watermelon, including the rind and seeds, has some very real advantages.
The whole watermelon can be used to produce multiple meals and reduce waste. Knowing how to prepare watermelon rind is essential to enjoying it. Here are three ideas for using that rind:
PICKLED
Because watermelon rind and cucumber rind are somewhat similar, it is not surprising that pickled watermelon rind is a popular option. Here is a recipe for you to make it at home.
JUICED
By now, we have all heard of watermelon juice, which is created from the melon’s juicy, red flesh. However, did you know that the rind can also be juiced? Water and nutrients are rich in the skin of the watermelon, just like in the inside. In need of some motivation? Check out this watermelon rind gazpacho recipe.
STIR-FRIED
When watermelon rind is sliced up, it cooks in a skillet just like a vegetable, so it may be stir-fried alongside vegetables and carrots. With excellent results, this watermelon rind cook dish will teach you how to dial up the fire on the rind.
Tasty Ways To Eat Your Watermelon Rinds
Even if you regularly include watermelon in your diet throughout the summer, you might not be getting the most out of it unless you also eat the rind. The rind is indeed totally palatable. Additionally, it is healthy, including more fiber than watermelon skin and higher levels of citrulline, an amino acid that enhances blood flow and may improve various forms of exercise.Its high citrulline level can also help men’s libido, yet it cannot replace Viagra (source: Healthline).
Consuming watermelon rind is also not an act of selflessness; it tastes good! Additionally, its crisp, cucumber-like texture lends itself to a variety of dishes, spicy and sweet. It appears in both innovative, inventive dishes made by chefs who are concerned about sustainability and in ancient, traditional recipes. So, if you’re looking for some savory ideas to get you started reducing food waste while keeping a great deal of rinds out of the waste, look no further.
Sweet watermelon pickles are an old-fashioned classic
There’s a strong probability that the only way you have ever heard of eating watermelon rinds is through traditional watermelon pickles. These sweet pickles, a regional specialty of the American South, are produced from cubes of peeled watermelon rind and, like other relishes, are eaten as appetizers or as a side dish to meats and cheeses during meals.
Making watermelon rind pickles isn’t difficult, but you do need to allow time for it. The dark green skin of the hard rinds must first be removed before the cubes can be tenderized by overnight brining and boiling. The now translucent cubes are then further simmered in a tasty concoction of vinegar, sugar, and herbs like cinnamon and cloves, before being spooned into clean canning jars and sealed in a hot water bath. You can savor a reminder of summer’s watermelon all year long by using the tightly sealed jars, which last for a year.
Candied watermelon rinds make an unexpected treat
Candying was one of the methods historically used by cooks to preserve summer fruit for the winter months. Not only did it extend the shelf life of fruit, but it also greatly enhanced its flavor by making normally bitter elements, such citrus peels, into their best selves. For these reasons, candying is an excellent watermelon rind treatment. Watermelon rind is mildly flavored and not nearly as bitter as orange peel; it has a flavor similar to cucumber. However, when candied, watermelon rind takes on deeper, more fascinating flavors, developing into a dessert that somewhat resembles watermelon.
The same methods used to candy citrus peel also apply to candying watermelon rind. Similar to the peel of citrus, watermelon rind must be boiled and repeatedly washed before it becomes soft enough to be eaten as candy. The next step is to slowly boil the tenderized rind in sugar syrup until the pieces are transparent. The candied rind bits can optionally be coated with sugar granules after being taken out of the syrup and left to dry on a rack to create a white, slightly crispy covering.
Change up your toast toppings with watermelon rind jam
Consider making watermelon rind jam if you want to switch up your breakfast spread from cherry and raspberry jam. Watermelon rind does cook down into a sweet, sandwich-friendly condiment, despite the fact that it is difficult to imagine something as thick and rigid as watermelon rind melting down into a spreadable shape. Similar to the rind pieces in marmalade, the finely chopped rind in the jam softens and transforms into beautiful candied bits, albeit it doesn’t completely dissolve the way most berries do. Watermelon rind jam lends itself to the addition of various flavors, such as lime or vanilla, due to its mellow flavor, which has been compared to that of a honey melon.
Remove the green outer covering of the watermelon and finely cut the rind after peeling it. Mix the sugar with the diced rind (and any additional citrus or spices, if using) and let it sit overnight, covered. Store the rind and sugar in sterile jars after slowly cooking them the following day until the rind is transparent. Next, what? Asking your visitors to guess what is in those jars will entertain and surprise them.
Benefits of Watermelon Rind
The ability of watermelon rind to enhance skin appearance, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, help with weight loss, and promote a healthy pregnancy are just a few of its most significant health advantages.
Skin Care
This fruit rind is rich in antioxidants, which can help to lessen the impacts of free radicals and reduced oxidative stress, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles, pimples, and age spots as you get older. It also contains a respectable amount of tomato and other flavonoids. [2]
Blood Pressure
This rind has a surprisingly high level of potassium, which acts as a vasodilator, helping to reduce the stress and strain on blood vessels and arteries. This can lower your risk of atherosclerosis, as well as heart attacks, strokes, and coronary heart diseases.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the watermelon rind, often overlooked, holds immense potential as a smart addition to your diet. It’s a nutritional powerhouse, a versatile culinary treasure, and a sustainable choice that can reduce food waste. By incorporating watermelon rind into your meals, you’re making a healthy, environmentally conscious decision that can benefit both your body and the planet.
