A popular way to preserve fruit is jam, but is this actually possible with melon? Sounds a little unbelievable, doesn't it? Find out if you can make jam with watermelon in the Thermomix.
Can you make jam from watermelon?
You will be pleased to know that this is entirely possible and no more complicated than with other fruits. However, due to the high water content in the melon, you should plan for more preserving sugar, or a higher concentration, to balance the amount and get a jelly-like consistency.
It is also possible to combine watermelon with any other fruit, with strawberries, raspberries and currants being among the favorites.A hint of vanillaor mint gives the fruity spread the finishing touch.
How to make watermelon jam in the Thermomix
Every recipe works particularly quickly and easily in the Thermomix. We give you several with different fruit combinations.
Boil the pure melon
Since the pulp of this fruit breaks down into a puree pretty much on its own, i.e. no larger pieces of fruit remain, as is the case with other fruits, it also transforms when boiled downmore like jellythan in a watermelon jam, especially if you then put the puree through a sieve.
For 4 glasses, 250 ml each:
- 1.2 kg of watermelon pulp
- 3 organic limes
- 500 g preserving sugar (3:1)
- 1 pack of citric acid
- optional: 5 – 10 peppermint stalks
How to preserve the melon in the Thermomix:
- Core the fruit and cut the flesh into smaller pieces.
- Grate the zest of the limes and squeeze out the juice.
- Add the melon and lime zest to the mixing bowl. Puree 10 seconds/speed setting 8.
- Optional: Strain the puree through a fine sieve to remove any coarser pieces of fruit and top up with water until you have a total of one liter.
- Add lime juice, preserving sugar and citric acid to the mixing bowl. Mix 5 sec/speed 5.
- Then cook everything for 16 minutes/100 degrees/level 2.
- Shortly before the end of the cooking time you can add the chopped mint leaves.
- Pour hot jelly/jam into the sterilized jars, close immediately and turn upside down to cool.
Cook strawberry jam with watermelon
The spread becomes even fruitier if you prepare a strawberry-watermelon jam, for example.
For approx. 5 glasses:
- 500g strawberries
- 900 watermelon
- 700 g preserving sugar (2:1)
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp gelling agent
- optional Vanille
How to make your own watermelon jam:
- Remove the stem from the washed strawberries and cut them in half.
- Core the melon and dice it.
- Puree the pulp for 5 seconds/speed setting 5.
- Optional: Strain the melon through a fine sieve if you only want to use the juice. In this case, you can save yourself having to remove the seeds at the beginning because the seeds remain in the sieve.
- Add melon juice (or the whole pureed melon) to the strawberries.
- Squeeze the lemon and mix the juice with the gelling agent and sugar.
- Put everything in the mixing bowl and cook 16 minutes/100 degrees/speed 2.
- Use the jelly test to test whether the jam is ready (put a dollop on a plate, put it in the fridge and check after about 3 minutes whether the jam has set). If not, cook for a few more minutes with additional gelling agent.
- Pour the hot jam into the sterilized jars, screw on top and turn upside down to cool.
Recipe with raspberries and mint
It's also a delicious idea to add raspberries and...a hint of mintAdd when making jam with watermelon in the Thermomix.
For 5 glasses:
- 750g watermelon
- 250 g raspberries
- 500 g preserving sugar (2:1)
- 1 pack of citric acid
- Leaves from two or three stalks of peppermint
How to prepare the recipe:
- Core the melon and cut it into smaller pieces.
- Puree the fruit in the mixing bowl for 5 seconds/speed setting 4.
- Add the raspberries, sugar and citric acid to the mixing bowl and cook the future jam for 14 minutes/100 degrees/level 4.
- Chop the mint leaves finely if desired.
- Test the watermelon jam using the gelling test (see recipe above). If it's not ready, cook for a few more minutes.
- Cook the mint leaves for 30 seconds.
- Pour raspberry-watermelon jam into sterilized jars, close tightly and turn upside down to cool.
4-ingredient recipe with currants
Another seasonal fruit that you can use for preparation,is the currant.
For 6 to 7 glasses, 200 ml each:
- 600g watermelon
- 400 g currants
- 1 to 2 peppermint sprigs
- 500 g preserving sugar (2:1)
How to prepare the currant watermelon jam:
- Core the fruit and cut it into smaller pieces.
- Pick the berries from the stems.
- Wash the mint and pick off the leaves.
- Add the fruit and mint to the mixing bowl. Mix 20 sec/speed 6.
- Add the preserving sugar. Mix 10 sec/speed 3.
- Without a mixing bowl, cook for 13 minutes/100 degrees/speed 1.
- Pour the finished fruit jam into sterilized jars, close them and let them cool upside down.
Cover image: NatalyaBond/ Shutterstock
