Thursday, July 5, 2012

Watermelon Jelly




From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...My fondness for watermelon jelly beans will be my downfall. I love their flavor and came to the conclusion that a watermelon-flavored jelly would also be delicious and make a fantastic toast topper. The only problem with that conclusion was the jelly is not available locally, and if I wanted a jar of it, I would have to make it myself. I've resisted doing that because this is a tricky jelly to get right, and making it is far more involved than putting-by the freezer jams I love so much. Here the ingredients must be mixed and boiled and then processed in jars that are submerged in a boiling water bath. That means special canning equipment is necessary and that jars and lids must be sterilized before the jelly can be processed. Simply stated it is a bother to make. I also hesitated because this jelly has a fairly high failure rate and can be hard to set or gel. The amount of water in a melon is variable and sometimes the initial addition of pectin is not sufficient to set the jelly. The other problem with this particular jelly is the smell watermelon makes when it is heated. It stinks. Fortunately, the odor does not affect the finished product. The jelly retains a watermelon flavor, and, while it is very sweet, it really does make a lovely toast topper. I doubt this will become a regular entry in your summer canning schedule, but you might want to try it for its novelty. Here's a small batch recipe.

Watermelon Jelly...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Bert's Cannery

Ingredients:

2 cups seeded, diced watermelon
3-1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 package powdered fruit pectin

Directions:

1) Place diced watermelon in jar of an electric blender and puree until completely smooth. You should have 2 cups of puree. If you wish a clearer jelly, strain through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheese cloth or use a jelly bag.
2) Combine watermelon puree, sugar and lemon juice in a 6 to 8-quart heavy bottomed pan. Over high heat, bring mixture to a rolling boil (a boil that cannot be stirred down), stirring constantly. Stir in pectin all at once and return to a rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove pan from heat. Skim foam from surface of jelly.
3) Ladle jelly into clean hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space. Process in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely away from drafts, then store in cool, dark place. Makes 4 half-pints.







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43 comments :

Ellen Whyte said...

This sounds awfully strange. I think I'd like it!

Happy 4th of July!

QembarDelites said...

That's a very cute jar you've got there! The jelly looks very pretty too. Although I have not tasted watermelon jelly before, I can imagine the taste must be good on top of toast or crackers. Hope you have a nice day!

Baking Addict said...

I love watermelon! Not sure about the jelly form but would love to try it :)

surfingtheworldcuisine said...

I heard that in Antalya region, Turkey they make watermelon and even eggplant jam, but have never tried or seen it. It just sounds strange! I still prefer the freshness of the watermelon.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

It is something I have never tasted, but it does sound novel.

Coleens Recipes said...

You aren't going to believe this, but I was JUST looking up watermelon jelly a couple days ago. I have a BUNCH of watermelon and I was surfing online to get ideas on what to do with it...this is SO COOL, thank you.

Diane said...

I love watermeleon I may just give this a try. Wish we could get watermelon jelly beans:( Take care Diane

Kavi said...

I think I'd take the pains to sterilize jars just to make this jelly! sounds wonderful!

Priya Suresh said...

Wow jelly with watermelon sounds truly interesting.

KitchenKarma said...

What a lovely jelly....I have never even heard of it, yet I come from a country of abundant watermelons! Thanks for sharing the recipe :-) Have a good day!

KimH said...

I think that sounds amazing.. Cant wait to make it! Was just reading a recipe for Watermelon rind pickles.. Cant wait to try that too!
Thanks for sharing & for a great blog!

Unknown said...

Wow, who would have thought it was so hard to make watermelon jelly? And I would have had no idea about the smell... very interesting. I bet it was fantastic... it looks lovely!

Kathy said...

Mary, I have never heard of watermelon jelly…It sounds amazing! I also have a fondness for watermelon flavor!

Gloria Baker said...

This sound amazing Mary I never try watermelon jelly but I made watermelon ice cream and was delicious.I love the color:)

Ana Regalado said...

I LOVE watermelon jelly beans , too ! Well , almost all flavor , I might say ! lol The color looks really lovely and I'm sure the flavor as well !

mia xara said...

This jelly sounds lovely,Mary! So far I've only heard of watermelon "spoon dessert" that they make in Greece..Wishing you a great day!

Suzi said...

Aww, I am a big fan of watermelon jelly beans too, LOL. This looks really tempting, I love watermelon and I know tis would be a perfect treat.

Chris and Amy said...

Well, that is quite intriguing! We made watermelon sorbetto yesterday and it was amazing. Love love love watermelon!

Tricia @ saving room for dessert said...

Oh yum! Beautiful jelly - I will show this to my husband and he'll be thrilled when I make it :) Thanks!

Balvinder said...

Watermelon Jelly! This sound interesting and unique.

Ellen B Cookery said...

I have never heard of watermelon jelly, but now you've got me so intrigued. I must try!

Suzie said...

That's odd that it stinks when cooking it. It sounds good though, I would have never thought of watermelon jelly :)

Unknown said...

I love unique jams and jellies, this one sounds delightful and definitely off the beaten path! How fun for a summer brunch with a big plate of biscuits!

Dining Alone said...

That looks so pretty and tasty. I would love a little watermelon jelly on some toast!

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

I actually don't like watermelon but love my watermelon jelly with soft cheese on crackers and my beloved pickled watermelon rinds.

KK

Mickey said...

Oh Mary! This sounds incredible. Love all things watermelon. I will have to try this :)
mickey

Jennifer Kendall said...

such an intriguing jelly! i'd love to try it!

Jeanne said...

Sounds delicious.
Much love and many blessings
Love Jeanne

Utensils and Gadgets UK said...

Watermelon is a personal favourite. And I think this watermelon jelly will go very well with french toast. I am excited to try this out this weekend.

Blond Duck said...

They have a huge watermelon festival down here!

Joanne said...

I would have never thought to turn watermelon into jelly before...but I'm certainly intrigued!

chow and chatter said...

oh this is so much fun for summer

Hotly Spiced said...

I can imagine this jelly has a wonderful flavour but wow, there's a lot of reasons to put off trying to make it. Amazingly tricky xx

Unknown said...

How unusual...you are always sharing the most unique recipes with us, I love it!

Michelle said...

Oh what a brilliant idea. I too love the flavor of watermelon but so far have only made Popsicles with them. This recipe is now being bookmarked, thanks for sharing Mary!

Michelle said...

Such a lovely sounding jelly... This recipe is getting bookmarked today and thanks for sharing it with us Mary!

Jane said...

ooooo yum!! I am totally trying this, sounds so good! I like your little jar too!

Kit @ i-lostinausten said...

I've never try watermelon jelly before. And this sounds very interesting & good too! :)

http://platanosmangoes.com said...

Such pretty color and so delicate. I have a watermelon sitting on my counter....I need to buy pectin...thanks for this recipe...

Mary Bergfeld said...

KimH, Thanks so much for your visit to One Perfect Bite. I hope you will become a regular visitor. I don't have the name of your blog, so I had to thank you here. I hope you have a fabulous day. Blessings...Mary

France@beyondthepeel said...

haha not sweat equity! I love that. Every cook needs an arsenal of recipes just like this one. No thinking, no sweat and the most basic of kitchen utensils.

tender b. said...

A jelly flavor I have never tried. This is nice...

Anonymous said...

It's really not hard! đŸ˜›

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