I have a previous article on how to make a not so sweet watermelon sweeter. It is done by sprinkling some sugar and let stand for few minutes. The slice will be sweeter even if a part of it is pale. I have no remedy for pale watermelon yet. Just close your eyes and imagine it is yummy red.

The whole watermelon can be eaten. Almost cause I peeled off the outermost green covering and placed it on my ginseng pot as compost.

These are what we do before serving watermelon on dining table. We cut them to eight moon shape parts. Then we get the red flesh by making a curve cut just before the white portion of peel. We place the sweet red flesh on serving plate while the peel is placed in garbage bin.

Why are we throwing the peels? First, we like sweet – watermelon peel is not sweet. Second, we are too lazy to make it sweeter or more palatable.

I made a sweetened watermelon peel. It is sweet and the texture is like nata de coco, a softer nata de coco. She liked it. My sister liked it too and it took her several minutes to figure out what it is made of.

How to make sweetened watermelon peels or nata de pakwan. Or shall we call it nata de peke:

1) Save watermelon peels.

2) Remove the outermost green covering by means of a fruit peeler. Using a plain knife is not recommended.

3) Cut into cubes, about 1.5 cm by 2 cm.

4) Measure one part cubes, one part water and one part sugar (can be adjusted as needed).

5) Bring the mixture to a slow boil for 30 minutes or until the cubes are semi transparent.

6) Remove from heat. Let stand for at least three hours to allow complete penetration of sugar.

7) Serve.