Watermelon - Not Just for Spitting Contests Anymore!

While watermelon seed-spitting contests were fun as a child, I must admit I really love the small seedless watermelons that are available today.  They fit so much better in the fridge than the seeded variety, and are easy to cut up and use in lots of ways.

Eating watermelon during a visit to my Grandparents farm always seemed fun!

A Variety of Watermelon Recipes

The only way I remember eating watermelon during my childhood was right off the rind or cut up and served in a traditional fruit salad.  Lately, however, it seems there are an
abundance of recipes (both savory and sweet) which include watermelon as an ingredient.

Watermelon Salsa

A few weeks ago, I published a recipe for Watermelon Salsa. I have made this a number of times already this summer, and all my guests have loved it.

Watermelon and Basil Popsicles

I followed a recipe for Watermelon and Basil Popsicles from The Crowned Goat exactly as it was written, except that I used plain (not vanilla) Greek yogurt. My son thinks I should have added a little bit of sugar, but I think the flavor is absolutely perfect and very refreshing. I am sure it would be really good using vanilla Greek yogurt as well!

I didn't have my molds ready before I made the mixture, and I noticed the mixture had started to separate a little. The tips of my Popsicles turned out a little watery -  I think this problem could be avoided by immediately filling the molds and freezing them.  

The last time I used my Popsicle mold, I spilled the whole thing as I tried to attach the top. This time, I inserted craft sticks through pieces of parchment paper and covered the molds with these instead. It worked really well!

Watermelon Salads

Watermelon is nice for dessert, but I have seen a lot of savory-type salad recipes with it as an ingredient as well.  With the memory of those recipes as inspiration and using ingredients I had available in my fridge and garden, I came up with a combination that was quite delicious. Here is how I made it:

Sweet and Savory Watermelon Salad 

(Printable recipe: Click here.)

4 cups cubed watermelon
3 clementines, cut in segments with rind and pith removed
1 cup blueberries, washed
1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced
6 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup basil leaves, sliced finely
1/4 cup mint leaves, sliced finely
juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp honey
salt to taste  

Combine all fruits and red onion. Drain, if necessary. Add mint,basil and feta.
Whisk lime juice, oil, vinegar, honey and salt to combine. Pour over fruit.
Gently toss. Serve immediately or keep cold until ready to serve.

Watermelon isn't just for eating anymore. 

The love for watermelon has extended beyond food to a variety of material things. All sorts of items with a watermelon theme are available for purchase. Here are just a few:

Serving Items

It does seem like a fun idea to serve watermelon salad from a watermelon bowl!

                                                            

 Home Decor Items

Does anything say “welcome summer” quite like a watermelon doormat?

                                                            

Gifts

Wouldn't this little dish for dip with a matching spreader make a cute gift for a summer hostess?

                                                             

Do you salt your watermelon?

Recently we had some people over for dinner. One guest asked someone to pass the salt, so he could salt his watermelon. This action sparked a huge debate about whether or not watermelon, cantaloupe, or green apple slices should be sprinkled with a little salt.

What is you think? Do you add salt to these fruits or not?

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