Citron melons for ice cream, jelly, sweetmeats, marmalade, tarts, sauce (applesauce) and syrup

The melon cannot be eaten unprocessed but when cooked in sugar water it is candied and used in cakes, puddings, mincemeat, green custard;  it's pectin will help other fruit jellies; a substitute for applesauce or pie/tarts filling; or pickled like watermelon rind.

More on citron melon preserves HERE and Randolph's ice creams including citron melon HERE

Mary Randolph's (Virginia Housewife, 1824) citron ice cream stated use when "very ripe" (the seeds are red) but others directed to use "just before the fruit reaches maturity: while still green yet well filled out." [Berry, 1907] The seeds are white in the enlarged picture as they are before ripe. 

The citron melon is cut like a watermelon, from end to end, which makes it easier to take out the seeds.  Nicholson of Philadelphia said to remove the soft center and seeds.

"Cut the melons into quarters, and these into slices. Remove the green outer rind, and stamp the slices into shapes with small cutters, or cut them with a knife into pieces of such size and shape as is convenient." [Hill, 1904]

 

As the melon is cut up, keep in water.  "Put the harder outside pieces by themselves." [American, 1896]  and another author said "just use the rind. [Nelson, 1921]

"The candied citron peel sold in the stores is not the citron melon of our gardens, but the true citron, a fruit belonging to the orange family. The citron melon may be dried or candied as follows, but it does not have the rich flavor of the true citron…. Spread on pie plates, set in a cool oven or heater, and dry perfectly."  [Rural, 1910]

The American Citron.   Simmons, 1796
"Take the rind of a large watermelon not too ripe, cut it into small pieces, take two pound of loaf sugar, one pint of water, put it all into a kettle, let it boil gently for four hours, then put it into pots for use."

Citron Cream.      ice cream  Randolph, 1824

"Cut the finest citron melons when perfectly ripe - take out the seeds, and slice the nicest part into a China bowl in small pieces, that will lie conveniently; cover them with powdered sugar, and let them stand several hours—then drain off the syrup they have made, and add as much cream as it will give a strong flavour to, and freeze it. Pine apples may be used in the same way."

The sugar causes the liquid to come out of the pieces which then is mixed with cream and sugar as needed to make ice cream.  Both citron melon and pine-apple flavored ice creams were very good.

Preserved Citron Melons    1904       & Marmalade from grated citron melon

Citron melons              Seeded raisins

Ginger root                   Lemons       Sugar

"Peel off the green rind of the melons, cut them in halves and remove the soft centers. Then cut the fruit into diamonds, strips, or any fancy shapes preferred.

Weigh, and for each six pounds of the prepared fruit allow one quart of water and one-fourth pound of ginger root.

Clean and scrape the root, put all into a preserving kettle and place at the back of the stove, where the mixture will simmer for one and one-half hours.

Meantime make a syrup, using five pounds of sugar for every six pounds of fruit and adding two cupfuls of water to the sugar. Remove the ginger root from the citron and, when the sugar is dissolved, pour the syrup over the citron and cook for one-half hour longer. Then skim out the fruit and spread on a platter, letting it stand in the sunshine or in the oven while the raisins and lemons are added to the syrup. Use three lemons and one pound of raisins. The lemons should be sliced thin and the seeds rejected. Cook until a rich, thick syrup results. Return the melon to the syrup, cook for fifteen minutes longer, then divide into jars and seal.

Melon preserve is usually made with the melon cut in dice, but it is far more delicious when grated, and the syrup and flavorings penetrate quicker. Cook the grated citron melon in a rich syrup flavored with grated lemon rind and strained lemon juice. One half lemon to two cupfuls of sugar is a good allowance.

A second recipe for Citron melon conserve and used for jelly needing more pectin."  [Neil, 1914]

from Fruit Recipes, 1907

SPICED MELONS

"Quarter, peel, and cut into preferred size the pieces of melon. When weighed place in earthen jar; pour over them cold vinegar and let stand over night. Then drain and for every seven pounds of melons make a syrup of three pounds of sugar, a teaspoon each of allspice and cloves, a little grated nutmeg, and a few bits of stick cinnamon. Boil several minutes after commencing to simmer. Pour this over the melons; cover them and let stand over night. Repeat this twice, the last time simmering until melon is tender and translucent, though firm. Place in heated jars and pour the spiced syrup over them, then seal."

CITRON OR PIE-MELON SAUCE   (applesauce)

"Cut and pare the melon; place in double boiler with no water or barely sufficient to wet the bottom layer of pieces, and cook till soft. Add sugar and lemon juice or other flavouring. This approaches apple sauce in flavour and consistency. To vary the flavour add, instead of lemon, or with it, barberry, cranberry, currant, or raspberry syrup, when the melon begins to soften."

PIE-MELON TART

"Make as for apple tarts, using the sauce made as above."

CITRON MELON IN JELLY

"There is an unusual quantity of pectin in the citron melon which makes it of practical value in jelly making. Where fruit does not readily jell the addition of citron melon (proportion varying with fruit used, half and half; onethird, etc.), will make this end far more quickly attainable."  [Berry

CITRON SYRUP AND ICE      

"The syrup in which citron has been preserved makes variety in flavouring sauces for puddings or the puddings themselves. It may be substituted for orange in gelatine and for ices, although it is best to use also a little lime or lemon juice to bring out the citron flavour. When citron preserves have been made—shaved fine—the fruit may be used at once for cake or pudding, and the syrup preserved alone." [Berry, 1907]

 

Citron Melon  description 1865

"Of the Melon there are two species in general cultivation,— the Musk-melon (Cucumis melo) and the Water-melon (Cucurbita citrullus),—each, however, including many varieties.

Through the extraordinary facilities now afforded by railroads and ocean steam-navigation, the markets of all the cities and large towns of the northern portions of the United  States, and even of the Canadas, are abundantly supplied within two or three days from the time of gathering: and they are retailed at prices so low, as to allow of almost universal consumption; well-ripened and delicious green-fleshed citron-melons being often sold from six to ten cents each."

Citron. Green-fleshed citron. Green Citron.

"Fruit nearly round, but flattened slightly at the ends, — deeply and very regularly ribbed;  size medium, or rather small, — average specimens measuring about six inches in diameter, and five inches and a half in depth; skin green, and thickly netted, —when fully mature, the green becomes more soft and mellow, or of a yellowish shade; flesh green, quite thick, very juicy, and of the richest and most sugary flavor. It is an abundant bearer, quite hardy, and remarkably uniform in its quality. It is deservedly the most popular as a market sort; and for cultivation for family use, every thing considered, has few superiors.

In common with the Carolina Watermelon, the Green Citron is extensively grown at the South for shipping to the northern portions of the United States; appearing in the markets of New York and Boston three or four weeks in advance of the season of those raised in the same vicinity in the open ground."  [Burr, 1865]

Citron melons   description 1885

"Red-seeded Water-Melon (Pasfeque a Graine Bouge).

A vigorous growing plant, but not so branching or luxuriant in growth as the black-seeded variety. The stems spread along the ground, and are seldom more than about 8 ft. long; they have comparatively few branches. The leaves are largish, with the lobes broader and less cut than those of any other WaterMelon. Fruit spherical, 12 to 16 inches in diameter, of a rather pale green colour, variegated with grayish bands marbled with green; flesh watery, but rather firm, and of a greenish-white colour; seed pink or red. The fruit of this variety requires nearly four months' heat to ripen it, and is chiefly used preserved or made into jam."  [Vilmorin, 1885]

Apple-Pie Melon

"Why the apple-pie melon was ever said to resemble the apple in taste, “ to be as good as the apple,”… I cannot tell… Yet this melon has its place. This is where the apple is not. Properly prepared, it is passable; indeed, where nothing else of the kind can be had, many would call it good. It can be raised as easily as any melon, and care should be taken that it does not intermix, which it seems to have a special penchant for doing. Can be grown on a new place the first season, so that the settler can have "some sauce" the first year, and then on till apples come, when our old friend, like many of human kind, will be thrown aside.

We have tested various methods of preparation. and have found the following the most convenient and the best: To 10 lbs. of the melon cut up ready for stewing, take 3 lbs of sugar or three pints of molasses, and one pint of good vinegar ; add spice of any kind to suit taste. Cook all together until the melon will mash soft. When cool, it is fit for use, or it can be kept about as well as apple sauce, as it rather improves with age. Emigrants to the west will do well to take a few seeds of this melon along with them, as it will till a vacancy which otherwise might remain void. H. T. Vose, Nebraska."

[Country, 1865]

More citron melon recipes HERE

SOURCES
The American Kitchen Magazine   Nov 1896

Berry, Mrs. Riley.  Fruit Recipes.  NY: 1907    3p  recipe

The Boston Cooking School Magazine edited by Janet McKenzie Hill.   Nov. 1904  cut citron picture
Burr, Fearing.  The Field and Garden Vegetables of America.  Boston: 1865 citron sketch
The Country Gentleman  Albany: Jan 19, 1865

Good Housekeeping  1914  3 pages
Nelson, Harriet, Fruits and their Cookery.  1921

Neil, Marion Harris.  Canning, Preserving and Pickling.  Phila: 1914  lady standing picture
Nicholson, Elizabeth.  What I Know, Or, Hints on the Daily Duties of a Housekeeper.  Phila: 1856
Randolph, Mary.  The Virginia Housewife.  DC: 1824
The Rural New-Yorker  July 9, 1910
Simmons, Amelia. American Cookery.  1798 
Vilmorin-Andrieux.  The Vegetable Garden: illustrations...  London: 1885

©2017 Patricia Bixler Reber
Researching Food History HOME