New recipe: Transform watermelon rind into a delicious, economical, and nutritious dish.
After eating watermelon, don't throw away the rind. With just a few simple methods, what might seem like a waste can be transformed into delicious and nutritious new dishes.
Every summer, watermelon is a popular "national cooling fruit." However, after enjoying the sweet and refreshing flesh, the rind is often thrown away, resulting in considerable waste. Few people know that about 40% of a watermelon's weight is its rind, which contains plenty of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. With clever preparation, watermelon rind can be transformed into delicious and unique dishes that are both nutritious and help reduce food waste.
1. Sweet and sour watermelon rind
Pickling is a popular way to turn watermelon rind into a refreshing appetizer. After peeling off the green outer layer, the rind is chopped and simmered with water, ginger, sugar, salt, and apple cider vinegar. After letting it marinate overnight, you'll have a crispy, sweet and sour watermelon rind snack with a wonderful aroma.
2. Watermelon rind jam and candy
Sugaring transforms watermelon rinds into sweet, translucent candies. After boiling, the rinds are cooked in syrup until golden brown, then dried. You can sprinkle with more white sugar for added sweetness and an appealing coating.
If you're tired of the usual jams, try watermelon rind jam. After chopping the rind, mix it with sugar and spices and let it marinate overnight. The next day, cook until the rind becomes translucent, then store in a jar. This jam has just the right softness for spreading on bread and a unique flavor.
3. Stir-fried watermelon rind
Watermelon rind has a light, refreshing taste, somewhat similar to cucumber, and is perfect for stir-frying with meat, eggs, or other vegetables. Simply slice it into strips, add garlic, onion, and your favorite seasonings, and you'll have a unique and delicious stir-fry that goes well with rice.
4. Watermelon rind salad
To make the salad, the watermelon rind needs to be steamed until soft before being mixed with herbs, chili peppers, lime juice, ginger, scallions, and olive oil. This watermelon rind salad has a harmonious balance of sour and spicy flavors, and tastes even better when marinated for about 30 minutes before serving.
5. Grilled watermelon rind with cheese
Simply slice the melon rind, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake until golden brown. When serving, mix with cheese and vinegar for a richer flavor. If you're worried about burning, you can wrap it in aluminum foil before baking.
From sweet and sour dishes, candies, and jams to stir-fries, salads, or grilled cheese, watermelon rinds can be transformed into surprisingly delicious meals. Not only does this help save money and make the most of the watermelon, but it also contributes to enriching family meals.