With the onset of the watermelon season, every adult tries to enjoy this amazing berry and feed the children. Housewives make various preparations from watermelons for the winter. Syrups, jams, compotes that will preserve the taste and aroma. Watermelon honey is of particular interest. Its preparation is not difficult, does not require a single gram of sugar. But not all housewives know the secret of its preparation.
Description and differences of watermelon honey
Simply put, watermelon honey is boiled from berry juice. The process is carried out in several stages. The addition of sugar and any other ingredients is not required. Although it is called that, bees have nothing to do with the delicacy.
What is the name of
Among the housewives, the delicacy is known not only as watermelon honey. There is another name – nardek or watermelon honey, which is considered to be official. In various recipes, descriptions, you can find such names as “bekmez” or “bekmes”. All of this is considered correct. Simple watermelon juice, boiled down to a jelly-like state. It is usually made at the height of the season, when the cost of watermelons is quite low. Indeed, in order to prepare one small jar of goodies, you will need a large amount of juice.
The homeland of watermelons is Central Asia. It was from there that the recipe was borrowed by the Don Cossacks. The recipe quickly gained popularity. Indeed, a large number of watermelons disappear during the season. By making watermelon honey, catastrophic losses are avoided. Today, nardek is produced everywhere where watermelons are cultivated.
Composition and calorie content
Nardek is a low-calorie delicacy. One hundred grams of the product contains only 110 kcal. This is despite the fact that sugar is about 60 percent. Therefore, watermelon honey is not contraindicated for people with diabetes. In addition, the nardek contains:
- fats – 9%;
- proteins – 1%;
- beta carotene;
- vitamins – A, B, E, C, PP;
- calcium;
- potassium;
- iron;
- phosphorus;
- sodium;
- magnesium.
The benefits and harms of nardek
The aroma of watermelon reminds of summer, cheers up. This is instantly felt as soon as the jar of the treat is opened. In addition to a good mood, the use of nardek brings undoubted benefits to the body:
- helps to strengthen cardiovascular activity;
- liquefies blood;
- stabilizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract;
- cleans the liver;
- normalizes kidney function;
- promotes the treatment of colds in the winter season;
- strengthens the immune system;
- removes the feeling of thirst and normalizes water balance.
Some experts claim that Nardek promotes the regeneration of cancer cells. It is recommended for people with tuberculosis.
There is no official data on the dangers of watermelon honey. People of different ages can use it without restrictions. Like any delicacy, given that it is concentrated watermelon juice, it should be consumed in moderation.
How to make a jellyfish at home
For the preparation of watermelon honey, ripe fruits without putrefactive traces are chosen. If the berry is unripe, you will have to add sugar. From this, the nardek loses its taste. Each recipe implies the same preliminary preparation of the fruits:
- wash selected watermelons and cut into two halves;
- using a large tablespoon, pull out all the pulp;
- the pulp is placed in a large container;
- knead everything and remove the bones;
- grind the resulting mass through a sieve into another container.
It is imperative to filter the pulp through a sieve or cheesecloth. So the composition is saturated with oxygen. Using the provided recipe, continue working on creating a nardek.
Classic recipe
To prepare nardek according to this recipe, you will need the pulp of six fruits. Place all prepared ingredients in an enamel saucepan.
- Put the container on a small fire. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly and skimming off the foam.
- Without stopping stirring, cook over low heat for another 2-3 minutes. Turn off the fire, set the container aside.
- Let the liquid cool and strain through a sieve, cheesecloth.
- Place the strained liquid in a clean saucepan and put on fire.
- Boil over low heat for about four hours, stirring constantly.
The readiness of honey is checked for color and consistency. The drop is kept on the plate, the nardek has a rich dark color. We can assume that the cooking is over.
The finished product is poured hot into sterilized jars, sealed and stored.
Adyghe recipe
The recipe involves the use of pulp with fillers for boiling watermelon honey. Its peculiarity is that sour cream or cream will be added to the juice.
- Place the watermelon mixture in a clean enamel bowl and put on fire.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture becomes brownish.
- Remove the pot and let cool to room temperature.
- Add sour cream or cream to the warm (!) Mixture. Mix thoroughly, pour into jars, seal and store.
This recipe recommends the use of high fat dairy products. Store only in refrigerator.
Mint recipe
Delicious nardek that can be used as a filling for pies or as a dessert. Mint gives a pleasant touch to watermelon honey, a kind of piquancy. Here, experts recommend adding a small amount of sugar. Better if it is brown in the amount of 0,5 kg. for 3 kilograms of watermelons. The cooking process is the same as described above.
- Strain the pulp of the watermelon through a sieve and pour into a clean enamel saucepan.
- Grind a few mint leaves, you can add thyme.
- Add sugar and herbs to the watermelon mixture.
- Put everything on fire, bring to a boil. Boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat when the mixture thickens and takes on a deep brown color.
- Pour into prepared jars and store.
Banks and lids are prepared in advance. They need to be sterilized.
How to use watermelon honey
Nardek is actively used as a general tonic. It is useful for children and adults during the treatment and prevention of colds. Irreplaceable watermelon honey for raising immunity. But these are not all of its healing properties. It is taken to combat insomnia, as well as to eliminate the effects of stress.
For adults
Nardek recommends as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for adults. Every evening, drink a glass of warm tea or milk, adding 2-3 teaspoons of watermelon honey to the warm drink.
- To quench thirst, add 1-2 tablespoons of the product to a glass of warm water.
- For the prevention of liver and kidney diseases, daily add 2-3 tablespoons of honey to oatmeal, cottage cheese.
- Cure an old cough. Dissolve the treat with onion juice. The scent of the watermelon will overpower the unpleasant odor. Take 2-3 tablespoons of the product.
- Nardek is used for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Add 2-3 tablespoons to rosehip decoctions, herbal teas instead of sugar.
For children
Children perceive the nardek as an ordinary dessert. But it is necessary to introduce it into the diet gradually, starting with a few teaspoons. Babies under five years old are generally not recommended to give watermelon honey. In the sixth year of life, the remedy is used:
- as a means to improve immunity in the winter;
- to normalize the activity of the gastrointestinal tract;
- as a remedy for the treatment of colds.
Nardek is added to warm milk, tea, added to cereals. The daily rate is 3-4 teaspoons. Treatment and prophylactic measures are carried out for 3-4 days, then take a break. if necessary, you can repeat the course in 3 days.
Противопоказания
Nardek has no obvious contraindications. As already mentioned, it is not recommended for children under 5 years old and adults who have allergic reactions to watermelons. People with gastritis need to consume watermelon honey with caution to avoid relapse or exacerbation.
It is better for nursing mothers to refuse such a treat so as not to provoke colic or diarrhea in babies.
Beauty Recipes
Watermelon honey is actively used in cosmetology. The rich vitamin composition, a large amount of carotene have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin and hair. It is used in its pure form or added to various cosmetics, face masks, hair. Several procedures are enough to:
- improve the condition of the skin of the face, décolleté, neck;
- increase elasticity and restore firmness to the skin;
- remove inflammatory processes;
- make the skin velvety;
- achieve a healthy shine of hair;
- get rid of fine wrinkles.
Nardek can be mixed with a blue or white clay mask and applied in the usual way. If there is no clay, add a couple of drops of sea buckthorn or olive oil to watermelon honey.
Storage conditions
Watermelon honey is a fairly concentrated product. It does not require special storage conditions. Store it in a refrigerator or cellar. The main condition is cold and the absence of bright light.
Conclusion
Nardek is an amazingly tasty treat that is not contraindicated for diabetics and people who adhere to a diet. In addition to its unique taste, it is an excellent prophylactic agent for many diseases. If you can use a large number of watermelons, be sure to follow the recommendations and prepare watermelon honey for the whole family.
