Watermelon honey is a delightful, sweet syrup made from watermelon juice. It’s perfect as a topping for pancakes, waffles, yogurt, or even as a sweetener for drinks. Here’s a simple recipe to make watermelon honey at home:
### Ingredients
– 1 large watermelon
– 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional, to enhance flavor and preservation)
### Instructions
1. **Prepare the Watermelon:**
– Cut the watermelon into chunks, removing the rind and seeds.
– Puree the watermelon chunks in a blender until smooth.
2. **Strain the Juice:**
– Pour the watermelon puree through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large pot to separate the juice from the pulp. Use a spoon to press out as much juice as possible.
3. **Cook the Juice:**
– Place the pot with watermelon juice on the stove over medium heat.
– Bring the juice to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
– Stir occasionally and let it simmer until the juice reduces to a thick, syrupy consistency. This can take 1-2 hours depending on the quantity and the water content of the watermelon.
4. **Add Lemon Juice:**
– If desired, add 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the pot during the last 10-15 minutes of simmering. This will help enhance the flavor and improve the shelf life of the watermelon honey.
5. **Cool and Store:**
– Once the watermelon honey has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
– Pour the cooled syrup into a clean glass jar or bottle.
– Store in the refrigerator. It should keep for several weeks.
### Tips
– Keep an eye on the pot while simmering to prevent burning, and stir occasionally.
– You can adjust the consistency to your liking by reducing it more or less.
– Use ripe, sweet watermelon for the best flavor.
Enjoy your homemade watermelon honey on your favorite dishes or as a unique sweetener!
