Freezing is one way you can enjoy watermelon every time. The easiest way to do this is to freeze the watermelon on a baking sheet. Watermelon can also be coated in sugar to retain the sweetness that is lost when the fruit is frozen. To maintain freshness and sweetness, freeze watermelon in a syrup and juice bath. Although watermelon will experience a natural change in texture after freezing, you can still eat the slices, or use them in smoothies or other recipes.
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Method 1 of 4: Washing and Chopping Watermelon
Step 1. Wash the watermelon under running water, then dry it
Wash the watermelon to remove any dirt and grime before you cut it. If necessary, remove stubborn dirt with a clean vegetable brush. Next, dry the watermelon with a paper towel.
Also wash your hands with soap and warm water so that the fruit is not contaminated
Step 2. Use a sharp knife to cut the watermelon into 4 pieces
Place the watermelon on a flat, stable surface, such as a cutting board or kitchen counter. First, cut the watermelon from side to side so that it splits in half. Next, cut the piece in half again.
- You can also divide the watermelon by cutting it into thin slices. First, cut the watermelon in half, then cut it horizontally into several slices about 2.5 centimeters thick.
- You can also remove the skin first before splitting the watermelon. Slice one end of the watermelon to serve as a stand so the fruit doesn't wobble. After that, gradually remove the skin all over the fruit.
Step 3. Remove the skin and seeds from the watermelon slices
Place the watermelon pieces evenly on the table surface. Slice the pink flesh where the white and green are sticking to the skin. This is to separate the watermelon rind from the fruit. Before cutting the skin that has been removed, first remove the black watermelon seeds.
While the rind can be removed (if you don't want to), watermelon rind actually contains a lot of nutrients and can be used for a number of things. For example, you can fry them, pickle them, make juices, or add them to dishes such as stir-fries
Step 4. Cut the watermelon into squares that are about 2.5 centimeters in size
Once the skin is removed, you can easily cut the flesh into any size you want. Squares and rounds are the easiest shapes to make and freeze. Try to cut them into equal sizes so the watermelon can freeze at the same time.
- To make watermelon balls, use a melon baller. This tool is almost similar to an ice cream scoop. You can use it after the watermelon is cut in half.
- Large watermelon slices can still be frozen, but they take up a lot of space. This form will also lose its texture when put in the freezer so it is not delicious when eaten raw.
- Watermelon pulp and juice can also be frozen in containers or used as ice cubes. Puree in a blender and strain the fruit before you freeze it.
Method 2 of 4: Freezing Unsweetened Watermelon
Step 1. Place the watermelon pieces on a baking sheet
First, lay out the parchment paper so that the watermelon doesn't stick to the pan. Place the watermelon pieces in a single layer so they don't touch each other.
- While the watermelon slices can be placed directly on the baking sheet, using parchment paper or a cake mat can reduce the mess.
- If several pieces of watermelon are touching each other, they will stick together, making it difficult to put in a container and thaw later.
Step 2. Freeze the watermelon for 2 hours until it feels firm to the touch
Place the tin with watermelon in the freezer and set a timer. When finished, the watermelon pieces will feel solid frozen. If the watermelon is still tender when pressed, give it more time for the watermelon to completely freeze.
If the frozen watermelon is difficult to remove from the pan, you can use a sturdy spatula. The heat on hand is usually enough to pick it up, but you can make the process easier by leaving the watermelon out of the freezer for a minute to loosen it up
Step 3. Transfer the watermelon pieces to a freezer-safe container
Put all the watermelon pieces in a plastic bag or container that can be tightly closed. Leave about 1.5 cm of free space at the top of the container to make room for the watermelon to expand. Next, write the current date on the container so you know how long the watermelons have been stored.
- It is very important to give the container free space. If you don't, the container may burst when the watermelon expands later.
- You can directly write the date on the plastic bag with a black marker. If you're using a container, you can stick a sticker and write the date on it.
Step 4. Freeze watermelon for up to 12 months
Watermelon slices can usually be frozen indefinitely at 18 °C. However, the quality will decrease within 10 months of being frozen.
Watermelon frozen this way will soften and lose some of its sweetness during storage. We recommend that you use this watermelon as a liquid ingredient for smoothies and other recipes
Step 5. Thaw the watermelon chunks in the refrigerator before you use them
When the watermelon is ready to use, transfer the container to the refrigerator. Let the pieces soften before you add them to the dish. You can also use it before the watermelon is completely melted, especially if you want to make a smoothie.
Watermelon that has been thawed can last up to 4 days if stored in the refrigerator. Discard the watermelon if the flesh is too soft, green moldy spots appear, or starts to emit a rancid odor
Method 3 of 4: Freezing Watermelon with Added Sugar
Step 1. Add sugar to the watermelon slices
Wash and chop the watermelon as usual, then transfer it to a bowl. Sprinkle about 1/2 kg of granulated sugar for every 2.5 kg of watermelon. Stir the watermelon and sugar mixture with your hands or a firm spoon.
It is recommended that you cut the watermelon into squares and rounds for this method. The sugar can retain the sweetness that is lost when the watermelon is frozen
Step 2. Put the watermelon in a freezer-safe container
Once you've coated the watermelon chunks with sugar, place them all in a plastic bag or a sealable container. Leave about 1.5 cm of space at the top of the container to provide a place for the watermelon to expand. Write the current date on the container before you put it in the freezer.
Watermelon doesn't need to be fully frozen before you store it this way
Step 3. Freeze watermelon for up to 12 months
Store watermelon chunks in the freezer at 18 °C or less. Watermelons can last indefinitely, but their quality will deteriorate after 10 to 12 months of storage.
Step 4. Thaw the watermelon in the refrigerator before you use it
Transfer the container to the refrigerator and wait about 30 minutes until the meat is tender. Once thawed, the watermelon chunks will have a softer flesh than fresh watermelon. You can enjoy it as is, but watermelon is best used for smoothies and other drinks.
You can store leftover watermelon in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
Method 4 of 4: Freezing Watermelon with Soaked Syrup
Step 1. Boil water and sugar in a small saucepan
Mix 4 cups (1 liter) of water with 1 3/4 cups (150 grams) of white sugar in a saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium to high heat. Stir the mixture periodically until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- You can replace of the sugar with an equal amount of honey or corn syrup.
- Another substitute is fruit juice. Try replacing the water with orange juice, pineapple juice, or ginger ale. If you don't want to use syrup, you can pour the juice directly into the container with the watermelon.
Step 2. Chill the syrup in the refrigerator for an hour
Put the syrup in a plastic container and store in the refrigerator. Leave the syrup there until it cools to the touch. Do not rush. If it's still hot, let the syrup cool down, at least to room temperature.
Hot syrup can overcook the watermelon. So, let the syrup cool down first. If it's still warm to the touch with your finger, the syrup is still too warm for the watermelon
Step 3. Gradually mix the watermelon and syrup in a freezer-safe container
Use a good quality plastic bag or container to store watermelon in the freezer. Pour 1/2 cup (120 ml) of syrup first before adding the watermelon. After that, pour in the remaining syrup so that the watermelon is completely submerged.
- Be sure to leave at least 1.5 cm of free space at the top of the container. This gives the watermelon room to expand when frozen so the container doesn't open under pressure.
- If you don't want to use syrup, soak the watermelon in the fruit juice to make a juice packet. This way, the watermelon will have the same quality as when you used the syrup.
Step 4. Cover the watermelon with wax paper
Keep the watermelon submerged in the syrup! In order for watermelons to be stored properly, only use waterproof paper. Wrap the paper tightly around the top of the container before you place the lid on it. This keeps the watermelon submerged in the syrup so it doesn't dry out.
Write the current date on the container to know when you made it
Step 5. Freeze fruit for up to 12 months
Store watermelon at -18 °C or less. If you want to use it, you can thaw it in the refrigerator or add it directly to dishes. You can store watermelon in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before the fruit goes bad.
Watermelon frozen in this way is perfect for desserts or fruit cocktails. The quality and sweetness of the watermelon will be maintained, and is similar to canned fruit
Tips
- Freezing will change the texture of the watermelon. Don't freeze watermelon if you want to enjoy it fresh. Once frozen in the freezer, the watermelon will be softer and juicy than usual.
- Frozen watermelon is perfect for smoothies, drinks, and other recipes that don't require the fruit to be fresh and whole.
- You can also freeze watermelon by turning it into a pulp or juice first. After that, place the watermelon into an ice cube tray to make watermelon ice cubes or watermelon flavored popsicles.
- Some types of melon (such as yellow melon and honeydew melon) can also be frozen such as watermelon.
