Step-by-step recipes for pickled and canned watermelons in jars for the winter without sterilization

How can you bring a little bit of summer to cold winter evenings? Cook a delicious family dinner and treat your family to watermelon! Preserved for the winter without sterilization, it makes a wonderful addition to any side dish, evoking summer memories in a cozy atmosphere, and keeping everyone happy, including the kids. What's more, most of the valuable nutrients are preserved during the cooking process, so in addition to being enjoyable, it also provides health benefits.

How to prepare watermelons for the winter without sterilization

There are two methods of canning: with and without sterilization. Each has its own merits. The key is to do everything correctly.

Features of canning without sterilization:

1. It's important to sterilize washed containers and lids. This can be done using any method: steaming, baking, or microwaving.
2. The technique involves pouring boiling liquid over the jars several times to heat them. These fruits are very sensitive to preservation and require thorough heating.
3. The liquid is drained for the last time, the brine is boiled, poured in, and sealed tightly. It's important to wrap all containers tightly until they have cooled completely.

Rules for choosing and preparing the main ingredient

The quality and taste of the finished dish depend on the correct selection and preparation of ingredients:

1. The fruits are selected whole, without signs of damage.
2. They should not be overripe, the flesh should be firm, not soft and elastic, with a thin skin.
3. The fruits need to be washed; if the rind is thick, it is better to cut it off a little, as it will take up extra space in the jar.

Cooking methods

Various recipe variations are based on the classic preparation method, which can be diversified with various ingredients: fruits, berries, spices, mustard seeds, cloves to impart a refined aroma and taste.

Classic recipe

This recipe is simple and requires only a minimum of ingredients, but even with these ingredients, the results are amazing, as watermelons are quite self-sufficient in terms of taste.

The quantity of components is indicated for a three-liter container.

Necessary products:

• watermelons - 1.7 kg;
• salt - 20 g;
• sugar - 55 g;
• vinegar - 95 ml;
• water - 850 ml;
• bay leaves;
• pepper - 3 peas.

Preparation procedure:

1. Wash the watermelon, dry it with a towel, and cut it into appropriately sized pieces. They should fit easily into the jars and be easy to remove in the winter.
2. Place pepper and bay leaf in a washed, conveniently sterilized container.
3. Place the watermelon pieces in a bowl and pour in the boiling liquid. Let it sit for about a quarter of an hour and then drain.
4. Bring to a boil again and pour into the container again for another quarter of an hour.
5. Drain the liquid, add sugar and salt, and bring to a boil. Pour vinegar directly into the watermelons and fill the container with the boiling brine.
6. Seal tightly, place the containers on the lids and cover well; it is important that the contents of the containers are well heated.

With allspice

The classic recipe can be varied with various spices; even adding a few allspice peas will completely change the aroma of the pickled fruit.

The set of products is indicated for three-liter glass containers.

Necessary products:

• watermelons - 1.4-1.6 kg;
• bay leaves;
• salt - 20 g;
• vinegar - 110 ml;
• sugar - 55 g;
• allspice peas - 2 pcs.;
• carnation - 2 inflorescences.

Cooking instructions:

1. Wash the watermelon and cut into pieces of the desired size. Place in clean, sterilized containers. Add cloves, bay leaves, and peppercorns.
2. Pour in the boiling liquid and let it sit for a quarter of an hour so that the watermelons warm up.
3. Drain the contents of the jar, bring to a boil and pour again.
4. Pour out the contents of the container, add salt, sprinkle in sugar, and bring to a thorough boil.
5. Pour the specified amount of vinegar into the jars and fill them with the boiled marinade. Secure with sterilized lids and, turning them upside down, close the jars to ensure better heating of the contents.

With herbs

Crispy slices of this savory appetizer, reminiscent of a wonderful summer time, will leave no one indifferent. A varied selection of herbs adds a flavorful note to the finished dish. Preserving according to this recipe is a breeze. If desired, we recommend adding mint, caraway, and celery.

The list of components is provided for a three-liter container.

Necessary components:

• watermelons - 1.4 kg;
• garlic - 2 cloves;
• vinegar - 110 ml;
• hot pepper - ½ piece;
• horseradish (greens);
• sugar - 80 g;
• dill with umbrella - sprig;
• currant and cherry leaves - 5 pieces each;
• salt - 20 g;
• cinnamon - 2.5 g;
• carnation - 2 inflorescences.

Cooking instructions:

1. Place dill, currant and cherry greens, horseradish leaves, garlic, half a hot pepper, cinnamon and cloves in washed, sterilized containers.
2. Place the watermelon, cut into appropriate pieces, into containers and fill with the boiling liquid. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then drain.
3. Bring to a boil and pour again for another 15 minutes.
4. Drain the contents of the container, add sugar and salt to the liquid, and bring to a thorough boil.
5. Pour vinegar into the watermelons and fill the container with boiling marinade.
6. Tighten the lid tightly, turn it over and cover with something warm.

In honey marinade

Honey-based preserves have a completely different sweetness. The ingredient quantities are for a three-liter container.

Necessary products:

• watermelon - 1.4-1.5 kg;
• honey - 55 g;
• sugar - 15 g;
• salt - 20 g;
• vinegar - 110 ml;
• black peppercorns - 3 pcs.

Preparation procedure:

1. Place peppercorns and pieces of the main ingredient of appropriate sizes into washed, sterilized containers.
2. Fill the container with boiling liquid and wait for a quarter of an hour.
3. Drain the contents of the jar, bring to a boil and pour in again.
4. Pour out the water, add sugar, honey, and salt. Bring to a boil.
5. Pour vinegar directly into the jar and pour in the boiled marinade.
6. Tighten tightly, place the lids down and cover until completely cool.

With cloves

You can preserve several jars of spices for variety, and in the winter, you can delight yourself and your loved ones with a variety of snack options. What you'll need:

• carnation 2 inflorescences;
• watermelon - 1.6 kg;
• sugar - 55 g;
• black peppercorns - 3 pcs.;
• cinnamon - 3 g;
• salt - 20 g;
• vinegar - 100 ml.

Cooking instructions:

1. Wash and dry the fruit, cut it into pieces of appropriate size.
2. Place the cloves and peppercorns in a sterilized container. Add the chopped pieces. Bring water to a boil and fill the container. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
3. Pour out the water, bring to a boil and pour again for a quarter of an hour.
4. Drain the contents of the container, pour cinnamon and sugar into this liquid, and add salt.
5. Pour vinegar and boiling marinade into the watermelons.
6. Seal tightly, place the lid on and cover until completely cool.

With aspirin

The components are listed based on a three-liter container.

Ingredients needed:

• aspirin - 2.5 pcs.;
• sugar - 55 g;
• watermelon - 1.35-1.4 kg;
• salt - 20 g;
• citric acid - 6 g.

Cooking instructions:

1. Wash the fruit, cut into pieces of the required size, and place them in a clean, sterilized prepared container.
2. Pour in boiling liquid and wait for a quarter of an hour.
3. Drain the liquid, bring to a boil again and pour in for the same amount of time.
4. Drain the contents of the container and place crushed aspirin tablets in it.
5. Add sugar and salt to the drained liquid, bring to a boil and pour into a jar.
6. Tighten the special lid tightly, turn it over and cover.

With grapes

This ripe fruit paired with grapes makes a wonderful, delicious winter dessert reminiscent of summer. Ingredients listed are for 3-liter containers.

Necessary components:

• salt - 25 g;
• watermelon - 1.4 kg;
• grapes - 350 g;
• mint - 3-4 sprigs;
• sugar - 55 g;
• vinegar - 110 ml.

Cooking instructions:

1. Wash the fruit, dry it and cut into appropriate pieces.
2. Wash and dry the grapes.
3. Place watermelon pieces in clean, sterilized containers, mixing in grapes and mint sprigs. Pour in the boiling liquid and let simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Pour out the water, bring it to a boil and pour it in again.
5. After 15 minutes, drain the water, add sugar, and salt. Pour the vinegar directly into the watermelons. Pour in the boiling marinade and seal the lid tightly. Turn the jar upside down and cover with a blanket.

How to properly store blanks

This fruit is quite fussy when it comes to preserving. It's important not only to follow the preparation method but also to store it properly to enjoy this unique winter snack. Jared watermelons should be stored in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature.There are no limits to the recipes for preparing these fruits. You can add various ingredients and create a new culinary masterpiece that the cook will be proud of and happy to share.