Watermelon Core Jam with Vanilla Pod
A jam made from the core (flesh) of watermelon with a vanilla pod. Double batch = 3 jars, the sugar is a lot. It also needs to be blended/pureed.
🍽️ Makes 3
Ingredients
| 1 кг | watermelon core (weighed cleaned of rind and seeds) |
| 500 гр | sugar |
| 100 гр | glucose |
| 1/2 | vanilla pod |
Instructions
- First clean the watermelon from the rind and seeds and weigh out the required amount. While cleaning out the seeds you will break up the larger portion of it. If large pieces remain, cut into cubes or whatever pieces you get. Place the watermelon pieces in the pot in which you will cook the jam. Add the sugar and, using a wooden or other large spoon, stir well so the sugar coats all the pieces evenly — the watermelon will immediately release juice.
- Put the pot on the stove and heat on low. When the mixture warms up, but before it boils, add the glucose (1), stir well until it dissolves (2). Let the mixture simmer on low heat, uncovered, for about 20-30 minutes (3). Stir periodically.
- I expected the watermelon pieces to break down and become a uniform marmalade mixture, but that didn't happen! The pieces reduced in volume but did not fully disintegrate — I think this was because the glucose is added at the start of cooking. I think this technique will be useful to me another time for other jams. But let me not digress further!
- Take the pot with the jam off the heat and let it cool for about 15-20 minutes, then return it to the stove and once it boils time about 10-15 minutes. The duration actually depends on how much water (juice) your watermelon releases. If it released more you will need to cook longer. I think it's best to check the thickness of the syrup by dropping a drop of it on a ceramic plate — it should stay whole and not spread (4).
- Five minutes before taking the jam off the heat, add the seeds of half a vanilla pod and the pod itself (5).
- After this, while still hot, the jam is distributed into clean and dry jars, covered and turned upside down on the lid. It can also be put in one larger jar. You do not need to remove the vanilla pod.