I was given twelve watermelons that are just past peak. I'm making watermelon pickles with the rinds. We cannot bear to eat one more bite of fresh melon. Is there any way to preserve the fruit? I'm filling the dehydrater with seedless slices (has anyone tried this?)

Is there anything else to do,or do the animals get a picnic?

-- Kendy Sawyer (sweetfire@grove.net), October 18, 1999

Answers

I had an uncle that made wine out of watermelons. Sorry I am not sure how though.

-- Wittey (wittey@aol.com), October 18, 1999.

I have dried watermelon slices with great results. They were sweet as candy. People and goats alike enjooyed this treat. Best of luck with those melons.

-- Nancy Johnston (nancyj@mei.net), October 19, 1999.

Freezing them in baggies is great. You can make fruit smoothies in January. Popsicles made from pulp are also great - our kids love them. You may be tired of them now but later in the winter they will be a real treat. We've never been happy with our watermelon pickles - if you get a good recipe we'd love for you to share it!! Kim

-- Kim (fleece@eritter.net), October 19, 1999.

I have dried and frozen them both with great results!!!!! If you put them through a blender and pour into popsicle molds kids love them! (and so do I)

-- Jenny Pipes (auntjenny6@aol.com), October 19, 1999.

Thanks for the help. I dehydrated, I'll probably like it more in winter, right now the smell is overpowering. I've got one left, I'm going to try freezing the puree. I don't particuarly like crisp watermelon pickles, but for others that do, use a stronger brine solution and keep the solution COLD. I'll post recipes here as soon as I have time. They come from Progressive Farmers Cookbook, 1972.

-- Kendy Sawyer (sweetfire@grove.net), October 20, 1999.

You can boil it down like maple sap and make a wonderful sweetner.

-- Cathryn Lee (cl@greenwood.com), November 18, 1999.

Kendy: How thick did you slice the watermelon to dehydrate it? Sounds like a great way to use up excess, and we always have some in the summer. Great to be able to use some of the stuff that is given to us, and not waste it, Huh? Thanks! Jan

-- Jan B (Janice12@aol.com), March 18, 2000.