You know how we’re always told not to waste food? Well, I never quite understood that until I discovered this watermelon rind candy recipe. For years, I’d been tossing those thick green rinds into the compost bin after enjoying the sweet red flesh. But my grandmother used to tell me stories about making treats from every part of the fruit during tough times.
Now, this old-fashioned candy has become a summer tradition in my kitchen. It’s like a magic trick – taking something we usually throw away and turning it into a sweet treat that my kids actually ask for by name. The best part? It’s really not complicated at all. I usually make a batch while I’m already in the kitchen prepping dinner, and the whole house fills with this wonderful sweet aroma.
If you’ve got watermelon rinds sitting in your kitchen right now, don’t toss them out just yet. Trust me, once you try this candy, you’ll never look at watermelon rinds the same way again.
Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Rind Candy
- Zero-waste cooking – This recipe turns what you’d normally throw away into a sweet treat, making the most of your whole watermelon and reducing food waste.
- Simple ingredients – You only need two ingredients – watermelon rind and sugar – to make this unique candy.
- Cost-effective – Since you’re using parts of the watermelon that usually end up in the compost, you’re basically getting free candy!
- Unique homemade treat – This old-fashioned candy is something you won’t find in stores, making it a special treat to share with friends and family.
What Kind of Watermelon Should I Use?
Any variety of watermelon will work for making watermelon rind candy, since we’re focusing on the white part between the green outer skin and pink flesh. Regular round watermelons from the grocery store are perfectly fine, though some folks prefer using larger varieties since they typically have thicker rinds. When picking your watermelon, look for one that feels heavy for its size and has a thick, pale area where it sat on the ground – this usually indicates a riper melon with well-developed rind. Just make sure to leave a little bit of the pink flesh attached to the white rind when you’re cutting it up, as this adds both flavor and a pretty color to your candy.
Options for Substitutions
When it comes to this simple candy recipe, there are a few things to keep in mind about substitutions:
- Watermelon rind: This is the star ingredient and can’t be substituted – it’s what makes this candy unique! Just make sure to keep a bit of the pink flesh attached as mentioned in the recipe.
- Granulated sugar: While regular white sugar works best, you can try using cane sugar or even coconut sugar. Keep in mind that using alternatives like coconut sugar will change the color of your candy to a darker shade and might add a slight caramel-like taste. I wouldn’t recommend using liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup as they’ll affect the crystallization process and final texture.
- Optional additions: Though not in the original recipe, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent crystallization, or try adding a cinnamon stick or vanilla bean during cooking for extra flavor. Just remove these before the final setting stage.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when making watermelon rind candy is not removing enough of the dark green outer skin, which can leave a bitter taste – make sure to peel it thoroughly while keeping some of the pink flesh attached for better flavor and color.
Many cooks give up too early in the cooking process – patience is key here, as you’ll need to simmer the rinds until they become translucent and easily pierced with a fork, which typically takes about 45-60 minutes.
A common error is stirring the mixture too frequently during the final sugar crystallization stage – instead, gently shake the pan occasionally and watch for the syrup to thicken and coat the rinds evenly.
To prevent the candy from becoming too hard or chewy, remove it from the heat as soon as the sugar starts to crystallize on the surface of the rinds, then immediately spread the pieces on parchment paper to cool.
What to Serve With Watermelon Rind Candy?
This sweet treat makes a wonderful addition to any dessert spread or afternoon tea setup. I love serving watermelon rind candy alongside a hot cup of green or black tea, as the subtle sweetness pairs perfectly with warm beverages. For a fun dessert platter, try arranging these candies with other traditional treats like shortbread cookies or butter cookies. Since this candy has an old-fashioned charm, it also works great as part of a holiday cookie plate or as a unique offering at parties where you want something a bit different from the usual candy options.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Place your watermelon rind candy in an airtight container, layering pieces between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. At room temperature, they’ll stay good for about 1 week. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator where they’ll last up to 3 weeks.
Pack: These candies make great gifts! Pack them in decorative tins or mason jars with parchment paper between layers. Just make sure the container is completely dry to prevent any moisture from making the candies sticky.
Tips: If your candies start getting a bit sticky from humidity, just give them a light dusting with extra granulated sugar before serving. This helps maintain their texture and makes them easier to handle.
| Preparation Time | 30-60 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-60 minutes |
| Total Time | 12-24 hours |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1500-1600
- Protein: 0-2 g
- Fat: 0-3 g
- Carbohydrates: 380-400 g
Ingredients
- 1000 grams watermelon rind (with a touch of red for added taste and hue)
- 400 grams granulated sugar
Step 1: Peel and Slice the Watermelon Rinds
Begin by preparing the watermelon rinds.
Carefully peel away the green outer skin.
Once peeled, cut the rind into 1-inch chunks, then slice each chunk into thin strips, approximately 1 centimeter wide.
Step 2: Sweeten and Chill
Place the watermelon rind strips into a bowl.
Add white sugar over the rinds, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
Mix thoroughly to coat each strip with sugar.
Once mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
This allows the sugar to begin breaking down the rinds and extracting their natural juices.
Step 3: Cook the Watermelon Rinds
After the rinds have rested overnight, transfer them into a cooking pot.
If necessary, add a small amount of water to aid in boiling.
Bring the pot to a boil over high heat.
Step 4: Simmer and Stir
Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low.
Stir continuously, gently scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent the rinds from sticking.
Continue stirring until the sugar begins to thicken.
Step 5: Achieve the Frost-Like Coating
As you continue to stir, you will notice the sugar starting to transform.
It should become whiter and harder, forming a frost-like layer that coats the watermelon rinds.
This indicates your watermelon rind candy is ready.
Remove from heat, allow to cool, and enjoy your frost-coated watermelon rind treats!
