5.0 from 18 votes
Armenian Watermelon Rind Preserves
Reduce food waste by saving watermelon rinds to use in this delectable Armenian watermelon preserves recipe (known as tzmeroog rechel or tzmeroog murabba).
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
Servings: 24 tbsp (15g each)
Calories: 39 kcal
Course:
Dessert , Condiments
Cuisine:
Armenian
Ingredients
- 2 cups cubed watermelon rind (see Note 1)
- ⅛ tsp fine salt or 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- ¾ cups water
- ¾ cups white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup orange juice (can substitute with water + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
- Add watermelon rind, salt, water, and vinegar to a small pot and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low, cover, and simmer for an hour.
- Rinse rind thoroughly with cold water and drain. When cool enough to handle, give them a squeeze to press out excess water.
- Add orange juice and sugar to the saucepan and return to high heat. When the mixture comes to a boil, stir in the rind.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture begins darkening to a golden colour, as if it's starting to turn into caramel (see Note 2). Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then ladle into a glass jar.
- At this point, you can either can it to preserve it for longer, or just store it in the fridge, where it will be good for a month.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Make sure to peel and slice the watermelon rinds into no larger than 1-inch pieces. You can leave a little sliver of pink flesh on the rind if you'd like.
- Make sure you remove it from heat before the colour gets too dark. You don't want the syrup to actually turn into full-on caramel because then it'll solidify when cooled!
Nutrition Information
Calories
39kcal
(2%)
Carbohydrates
10g
(3%)
Protein
0.1g
(0%)
Fat
0.1g
(0%)
Saturated Fat
0.003g
(0%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.01g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.01g
Sodium
17mg
(1%)
Potassium
22mg
(1%)
Fiber
0.1g
(0%)
Sugar
9g
(18%)
Vitamin A
72IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
2mg
(0%)
Iron
0.04mg
(0%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24tbsp (15g each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 39
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 39kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 0.1g | 0% |
| Fat | 0.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.003g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Sodium | 17mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 22mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 72IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 2mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0.04mg | 0% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.