Candied Wintermelon: A Nostalgic Sweet Dessert of Chaozhou Childhoods

Written by on in Dessert
Candied Winter Melon
Print
Print

Candied Winter Melon

Recipe by chaozhousistersCuisine: Asian, Chinese, Chiuchow, Chaozhou, TeochewDifficulty: Hard
Prep time

14

minutes
Cooking time

4

hours 

I remember having these all the time when I had to take Chinese medicine. My mom would give me 1 small piece and I had to savour it along with a massive (at least too much than I would've liked) bowl of bitter Chinese medicine. Well, who would have thought that it is so hard to find these candied winter melon in the supermarket?! I really wanted to make a special Chaozhou cake with these candied winter melon so guess what, I had to make it myself.

Ingredients

  • Wintermelon (as much as you want)

  • White Sugar (enough to cover sliced wintermelon)

  • Water

Directions

  • Cut wintermelon to long sticks.
  • With the sugar to water ratio being 2:1, melt the sugar in the water in a pot over high heat. Ensure there is enough water to cover all the wintermelon.
  • Immerse the wintermelon in the pot and cook until wintermelon starts to turn translucent.
  • Pour the wintermelon and remaining sugar fluid into a bowl. Chill and leave in fridge overnight.
  • Drain the wintermelon and place on baking tray.
  • Put the wintermelon into the oven at 170F and bake for 4 hours.
  • They should become dry and hard with a sugary white coating on the outside. Then remove and let cool