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–+ servings
Watermelon Rind Sweet Candy

Transform Watermelon Rind into Sweet Candy Delight

This Watermelon Rind Sweet Candy is a delightful and sustainable treat that's easy to make.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 10 pieces
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 80
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Candy
  • 4 cups watermelon rind, diced Use only the white part, well peeled
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar Consider coconut sugar as a substitute
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger Fresh ginger can elevate the flavor
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves Optional
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Almond extract can be an alternative
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest Lime zest can be used instead
  • 1 pinch salt Balances sweetness
Optional Additions
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon Swap for ground ginger if preferred
  • 1 cup shredded coconut Mix in towards the end of cooking
  • 1 cup dried berries Cranberries work well
  • 1 cup nuts Chopped pecans or almonds for texture
  • 1 tablespoon chocolate drizzle Use melted dark chocolate for topping

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • Slotted spoon
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Watermelon Rind Sweet Candy
  1. Begin by thoroughly peeling the watermelon to remove the bitter green skin, then slice the white rind into small, bite-sized cubes, yielding about 4 cups.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine 1.5 cups of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved—this should take about 5–7 minutes.
  3. Add the diced watermelon rind to the syrup, followed by ground ginger, ground cloves, and lemon zest. Stir the mixture gently to ensure all pieces are well-coated with the syrup.
  4. Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer gently for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning.
  5. Once the rind is tender, remove the saucepan from heat and allow the candy to cool in the syrup for a few hours.
  6. After cooling, use a slotted spoon to transfer the pieces to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread them out evenly for drying, which can take several hours or overnight.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 21gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 50mgSugar: 17gVitamin C: 2mg

Notes

Ensure you remove all the green skin to enhance sweetness and prevent bitterness. Allow the candy to rest in syrup for flavor infusion and ideal chewy consistency.

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