Watermelon Rind Tomato Sauce (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

This watermelon rind tomato sauce recipe is the perfect way to save parts of the watermelon that we throw away so easily when indulging in a delicious, sweet, juicy watermelon.

Not many people think that you could make a rich, tasty tomato sauce that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes using watermelon rind. 

This recipe is a family recipe, and my mum has been making it for a long time. Not until I started thinking about sharing it, did I realise how unique it truly is!

So next time when you buy a whole watermelon, don’t throw out the rind! Make sure to use it all and notice how much less waste you’ll create in the process. I find that my compost bin is much smaller when I make this. 

You can use all parts of the watermelon, including the outer thicker and darker green skin, but it is quite tough, even when cooked. Using a peeler, simply peel off the darker parts, and you’ve got some excellent watermelon rind ready to use! 

The watermelon rind has some wonderful health benefits too! Here are a few:

• High sources of vitamin B and C
• It’s a wonderful workout booster
• Helps reduce blood pressure
• It’s rich in fibre
• Can boost libido

How to peel watermelon and use the rind

I have grown up peeling and cutting things in my hands. And while I know, it’s not a safe option; this is how I’ve been doing it for a long time. 

I imagine that I picked it up from my mum that picked it up from hers. 

To separate the outer darker, tougher watermelon skin from the rind, you can do it one of three ways – this is once you’ve cut off the sweet pink, eating watermelon. 

1. Sit it sideways on the chopping board and run a large, sharp knife along the darker green part separating it from the rind. You can also chop it off straight down and continue to rotate it. Like you would a pineapple. 
2. Not recommended, but this is how I do it. Hold firmly in your hand with the darker skin facing you, slide the knife just underneath the skin to cut it off towards you. I usually do it in smaller chunks rather than one big piece. 
3. This is probably the most practical way to do it. Use a peeler!! 

This watermelon rind tomato sauce recipe-

• Melts in your mouth
• Is the perfect balance of sweet, sour and salt
• Super easy to make with minimal ingredients (there are only four!)
• Helps reduce waste – this recipe saves almost a kilo of delicious, useable watermelon rind that would otherwise go to waste!
• Very affordable to make 

You can whip this together to feed you and your family in no time! Try something a little different and use an ingredient that would otherwise end up in either your trash can or compost.

If watermelon is not in season and you’d like to make this when it is or don’t feel like making it now, you can always freeze the chopped watermelon rind and thaw it before using it. 

Other recipes you’ll love:

1. My Lentil Spaghetti Bolognese (Vegan)
2. Easy Vegan Baked Ziti
3. Sauerkraut and Bean Stew (Slovenian Jota)
4. High Protein Vegan Salad with Sweet Potato, Quinoa and Satay Tofu
5. Creamy Vegan Mushroom Risotto

If you try this watermelon pasta sauce recipe, let me know! I would love for you to leave a comment and rating below. If you want to go that extra mile, tag us on Instagram, or share your photo of the recipe on Pinterest. Or Pin It for later!

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