Summer Love Preserve

No, no, this is not the song by the famous Johnny Hallyday who is the famous French rockstar.. errr. whatever ..
I stumbled upon this funny, very helpful and informative blog: Papilles et Pupilles where I noticed that there was a mention of a contest to make Preserves and what was more exciting were the prizes they are offering, one of them being the Kitchen Aid, which has been on my wish-list radar since months. I had proposed a recipe along the themes set by the author - to make a conserve/preserve based on what one would like to eat in winter, it should be ecological and economical as well. The contest sponsored by the jar making company - Le Parfait, required to send a recipe and if your recipe was selected, they would send you a jar to make your recipe and to submit it on your blog. I would like to thank Le Parfait for sending me not one, but 6 jars, which means I can make 6 different preserves!!! Okay, I need to calm down now!!

Summer Love Preserve

Winter, does it bring the desire to et something crunchy, fresh, something that will give you that extra pep in your step!
Try making this delicious preserve full of goodness, pure tastes and natural flavours. Watermelon - crunchy, succulent, sweet coupled with contrasting tastes like mingling mint, earthy ginger and rose petals -the essence of love. This preserve is sure to get back those fond memories of a bright yet tender summer.

GET

4 cups of watermelon juice (fresh)                                                                                    



 2 cups watermoelon pieces (75% white part, 25% pink part)             
3 tbsps apple cider vinegar                                                                      
1 cup sugar

2 tbps ginger sliced
1/2 tsp cardamom
3 tbsps lemon juice
2 tbsps lemon zest
1 tcup mint leaves
1/2 cup rose petals

SET

• Boil the watermelon juice, cook it till has reduced to half. Clean the jar thouroughly, wash in a hot soapy bath. Dry in room temperature.
  
• Add all the ingredients except for the rose petals and pink watermelon part. Cook till the liquid then reduces till more than half. 5 minutes before you take off the pot, add the remaining watermelon.
• Strain the liquid and take out only the watermelon pieces, put them in the jar and then add the liquid. 
• The jar should be filled till the brim, but fill a good 2-3 cms below the brim. close the jar immediately.
  
• Now the jar has to be treated in a water bath to be able to preserve for a longer duration.
  
• Take a large pot, fill it with cold water. Place the jar in this bath, and make sure that the water level is 3 cms above the lid of the jar.Make sure that the jar is tightly closed, we don't want the liquid to seep out now do we?
  
• Place this bath on high heat till the water boils, and then reduce the heat and cook for 30 minutes. 
• Take the jar out and cool. 

GO
Enjoy this yummy preserve with raisin bread or use it to top your ice creams.