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Watermelon Rind Candy: Refreshing Sustainable Sweet Treats

Transform watermelon rind into delightful candy with this sustainable recipe, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 4 pieces
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 90
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Candy
  • 4 cups watermelon rind Use only the white part for the best texture and sweetness.
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar Essential for sweetness; can substitute with agave syrup or coconut sugar.
  • 1 cup water Needed to dissolve the sugar.
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger Adds warmth and depth; fresh ginger can be used for a bolder flavor.
  • 1 pinch ground cloves Optional for enhancing flavor complexity.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Introduces sweetness and aroma.
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest Provides a refreshing zing.
  • 1 pinch salt Balances the sweetness.
For Drying
  • 1 sheet parchment paper Essential for drying the candy without sticking.

Equipment

  • Large saucepan
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by thoroughly peeling the watermelon rind, ensuring to remove the green outer skin and dice the white part into small, bite-sized cubes.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water. Stir over medium heat until the sugar fully dissolves, about 5 minutes.
  3. Once the syrup is ready, gently stir in the diced watermelon rind, ground ginger, ground cloves, and lemon zest.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. After simmering, remove from heat and let cool in the syrup for several hours. Strain the pieces of rind and lay them out on parchment paper to air dry.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 90kcalCarbohydrates: 24gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 100mgSugar: 22gVitamin C: 1mg

Notes

Ensure to peel the rind properly to avoid bitterness and adjust cooking time for desired candy consistency.

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