This Summer, Don’t Trash Those Watermelon Rinds—Turn Them into a Lip-Smacking Halwa That Rivals Any Traditional Sweet
24 April 2025, New Delhi
As temperatures rise and watermelons become a staple in every household, it’s common to see their juicy red flesh devoured and the rinds tossed away. But what if we told you those green-and-white peels you casually discard can be transformed into a delectable dessert? Yes, watermelon rind halwa is not just a creative kitchen experiment—it’s a culinary revelation that promises to steal the spotlight from even your favorite sweets.
Summer’s Sweet Secret
Watermelon is widely enjoyed in summer not just for its refreshing taste but also for its health benefits—it keeps the body cool and aids in weight management. But the fruit’s underrated parts, like seeds and rinds, are often overlooked despite being nutritionally rich. Now, a unique recipe is making waves, proving that even watermelon peels can become the star of your dessert table.
How to Turn Trash into Treasure
To prepare this delightful halwa, start with the rind of a large watermelon. Use a peeler to remove the green outer skin, keeping only the white and lightly pink parts. Grate these or blend into a coarse paste.
In a pan, heat 3-4 tablespoons of desi ghee and add 2 tablespoons of besan (gram flour). If you’ve grated the rinds instead of blending, you can skip the besan and use semolina (sooji) instead.
Roast the flour or sooji lightly, then add the rind paste. Cook on high heat, stirring continuously until the moisture evaporates—a process that takes around 10-15 minutes. Once it starts to brown, add half a cup of milk (or khoya for a richer version) and cook until it thickens.
Next, stir in one cup of sugar and a pinch of cardamom powder. Add a bit more ghee for richness, toss in your favorite chopped dry fruits, and serve hot.
The best part? No one will believe this flavorful, melt-in-the-mouth halwa is made from watermelon rinds. It’s not just a delicious way to reduce waste, but also a brilliant example of sustainable cooking.
So this summer, before you throw away those peels, think again—you might just be tossing out the ingredients for your next favorite dessert!