Homemade Watermelon Jelly Recipes

WATERMELON JAM - EASY AND FOOLPROOF!

Steps:

• Put pureed watermelon, lemon juice and sugar in a pot. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
• Add the pectin and whisk it with a handheld whisk or a fork immediately, so it dissolves without clumping.
• Bring the watermelon jam to a boil again, then reduce heat to simmer and simmer, stirring every minute, for 20 minutes.
• Pour the watermelon jar into a mason jar. This watermelon jam will set completely once it's cooled.
• This watermelon jam can be canned, or you can simply store it in a refrigerator (it will stay fresh in a refrigerator for up to 1 month).

WATERMELON JELLY

Steps:

• Blend watermelon pieces in blender for about 1 minute on medium speed.
• In large kettle, mix melon, sugar, and lemon juice.
• Bring to a boil.
• Stir in liquid fruit pectin and boil fifteen minutes, stirring.
• Skim off the foam and pour into jars.
• Wipe rims, place lids, screw on bands finger-tight and process in a boiling water bath for ten minutes.
• Remove to a protected surface to cool undisturbed.
• Note: this is an adopted recipe, and needs a bit of tweaking. I plan on making the jelly with a thermometer in the future to ensure that the results are consistent.
• Note #2: I've received questions about the 15 minute time listed in the recipe. Almost all of the watermelon jelly recipes I've found doing a search are for 1 minute. As this recipe has already been reviewed as is, I don't want to alter it too much. But as an alternative, I'd like to give you a recipe from Epicurious.com, whom I've found to be a reliable source. Watermelon Jelly, courtesy of Epicurious.com: 4 cups seeded, diced watermelon, 3 1/2 cups sugar, 2 Tbs lemon juice, 1/2 of a 6 ounce pkg of liquid fruit pectin (1 foil pouch). Instructions: Place diced watermelon in a blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process until smooth (should have 2 cups watermelon puree). In a 6 to 8 quart kettle combine the watermelon puree, sugar and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil (a boil that cannot be stirred down) over high heat, stirring constantly with a long handled wooden spoon. Stir in the pectin all at once. Return mixture to a full rolling boil; boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove kettle from heat; skim off foam. Ladle jelly into clean, hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space. Wipe jar rims; adjust lids. Allow to cool completely away from drafts, then store in cool, dark place. Makes 4 half pints.
• Note #3: from RecipeZaar user Foggy Kitchen come these helpful comments. "Mine did not gel and I had to research why not. Follow directions! Detail on the Pectin box distinctly separates fruit w/pectin -vs- bowl of sugar on side to be added LATER, then briefly fast boiled (the one minute reference).".

WATERMELON JELLY

Steps:

• Place watermelon in a food processor; cover and process until pureed. Line a strainer with 4 layers of cheesecloth and place over a bowl. Place pureed watermelon in prepared strainer; cover with edges of cheesecloth. Let stand 10 minutes or until liquid measures 2 cups., Discard watermelon pulp from cheesecloth; place liquid in a large saucepan. Stir in sugar, vinegar, lemon juice and food coloring if desired. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin. Continue to boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. , Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into 5 hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

WATERMELON JELLY

Steps:

• Blend your watermelon chunks until they are completely pureed.
• Strain the mixture using a 4 cup measuring cup and a strainer.
• Put the juice into a pot and turn on medium/high heat to boil.Allow the watermelon juice to boil, stirring frequently. Since watermelon contains so much water, cook for about 25 minutes to cook it down some. Be sure to stir frequently.
• Next, mix the pectin with one cup of sugar.
• Stir in the pectin and sugar mixture. Then, slowly add the rest of the sugar, stirring well after each cup.
• Add the lemon juice.
• Let the liquid come back to a rolling boil and boil for 1-2 minutes while stirring continuously.
• Remove from heat and ladle into jars. You will typically get 7 to 8 half-pint jars with one recipe. Let the jars sit for 15 minutes and then place the lids on.
• Finally, water bath can for 5 minutes. Remove from the canner and place on a dry towel on the counters. Let cool for 12 hours before disturbing.

HOMEMADE WATERMELON JELLY

Steps:

• Prepare jars and lids by boiling in water for about 10 minutes.
• Using the red part of the watermelon, remove the seeds and cube. Place in a blender or food processor and blend well. The four cups of cubed watermelon should yield 2 cups of juice/puree, add or remove juice to equal 2 cups. At this point the juice can be strained, I don't strain my juice.
• Juice lemons to get 3 tablespoons, fresh squeezed is best. Bottled is not as good tasting but will work. Add the zest of one lemon to the lemon juice, the amount of zest is approximate for a lemon, set aside. The zest can be optional, so don't worry about it if you are using bottled lemon juice.
• In a separate container mix 1/2 cup of white granulated sugar with the package of dry no sugar pectin, I use 100% Natural Sure Jell Premium Fruit Pectin (1.75 ounces per package or 4 tablespoons). Open another box, measure and add 1 tablespoon additional, mix sugar and pectin well, set aside.
• Measure out the other 3 cups of sugar in a separate container, and set it aside, close to the cooking area.
• Pour the 2 cups of watermelon juice/puree into a large stainless steel pot (Dutch Oven size). Add 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and zest to the watermelon juice.
• Stir in the sugar pectin mixture and bring to a hard boil. The heat will be on medium high to high at this point (depending on your stove). I like to use a whisk to constantly stir the mixture until it boils. Reaching the boiling stage should take between 5-10 minutes, keep stirring.
• Add the remaining 3 cups of sugar and bring back to a hard boil, stirring or whisking constantly for about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Fill prepared jars about 1/4 inch from the top. Wipe the rim of jars and place lids and rings to the jars. Seal in prepared jars, approximately (8) 1/2 pint jars, (16) 1/4 pint jars, or (4) pint jars.
• Place filled jars in a boiling hot water bath with about 1 inch of water covering the top of the jars. If you do not have a canner use a large stock pot with a towel in the bottom. Do not let the jars touch. Boil gently for about 10 minutes. Remove jars and set away from draft to cool. I place towel lined cookie sheet in the cold oven and let the jars cool in the oven with the door closed. Make sure that the jars have sealed before storing.
• The jelly is good for about 12 months, but is best the first 6 months. The color and consistency may change the longer it is stored. Use as you would with any other jelly, this is a great icing for a yellow cake.
• Optional: If you are making several batches and you want them a little different, add whole spices (allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger etc.).

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE WATERMELON JAM

Steps:

• Puree the watermelon chunks in a blender or food processor. Depending on the size of your blender, you may have to work in two batches, but the finished amount of puree should be roughly 4 cups. There is no need to strain the watermelon juice because the puree gets very thin.
• Pour the watermelon puree into a large pot. Add lemon juice.
• In a small metal bowl, whisk both boxes of pectin together with 1/2 cup of the sugar. This will prevent the pectin from clumping later on.
• Whisk the pectin/sugar mixture into the watermelon puree.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir almost constantly to prevent the bottom of the mixture from burning.
• Add the rest of the sugar when the mixture is boiling so hard that you can't stir the bubbles away. Whisk the sugar in.
• Return the mixture to a hard boil, and cook for one minute.
• After one minute, remove the jam from heat.

WATERMELON RIND JAM

Steps:

• The first step is to peel off the tough green skin, chop up the white remains with some of the pink still on it.
• In a stainless steel saucepan (or Dutch oven), add the rinds, apple pieces, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla. Bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Lower heat and stir until the rind is tender and translucent (could take up 60-120 minutes...mine took about 1 hour).
• When it is translucent, remove from heat. Let cool down and carefully emulsify.
• Carefully spoon the jam into sterilized jars. Apply lids jars.
• Wipe rims with a clean, damp towel and screw lids on securely but not too tightly.
• Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
• Carefully remove jars using tongs. Use potholders to tighten the lids. Place jars on a rack upside-down and let them cool. When they've cooled down, store them in the refrigerator. The jam should keep unopened for several months.

REDUCED SUGAR WATERMELON JELLY

Steps:

• Combine the watermelon juice, lemon juice, and pectin in a large pot.
• Whisk the pectin in and bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium high heat.
• Stir in the sugar.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continually. Boil 2 minutes.
• Remove it from the heat.
• Test to make sure the jelly is set (as seen in the video.) If the jelly is set, jar as below. If it is still runny, return it to the heat and boil for another minute. Test again.
• Ladle the jelly into hot, half-pint jars. Leave 1/4 inch head space.
• Wipe the rims of the jar with a damp rag that has been dipped in white vinegar. This ensures that there is no residue, and your lids can seal properly.
• Close with lids and rings.
• Process the jars in a hot water bath canner or steam canner for 10 minutes.
• Allow the jars to cool in a draft-free location for 12-24 hours.
• Remove the rings, test the seals and label the jars.
• Enjoy!