Tuesday, July 14, 2015

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.


watermelon
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, basil, frozen


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, herbs, fruit, salad

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.


salt


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

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14 comments :

  1. I'm with you on the seedless watermelon!! My aunt brought a watermelon and feta dish to our Memorial Day BBQ and since then I have been seeing the combo everywhere!!

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  2. I tried your watermelon salsa a few weeks back and it was yummy. This recipe looks delish too. I'll try it. Grinned when I read that you mostly ate it fresh from the rind when you were little. Me too! Oh and those black seeds were perfect for spitting.

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    1. I'm so glad you liked the salsa, Kelly! And as fun as it was to spit the black seeds, I really like not having to remove them from the newer variety before I add watermelon to a salad!

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  3. That salad looks wonderful.
    When fruits come back into season I will have to try it.
    Salted fruit? Not for me. My father always sugared his tomatoes though. And lettuce.

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    1. I have heard of sugaring tomatoes - but never lettuce. Not a practice I will begin - I certainly don't need to add calories to foods I already enjoy!

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  4. Yummy recipes - will pin and try them all. I've never salted watermelon before, but my dad does salt his cantaloupe.

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    1. My mom always salted both - and I sometimes do and sometimes don't!

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  5. That salad looks so yummy! I will have to try it with feta cheese. Never tried the sweet/salty combination before ! Thanks for the share!

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    1. Feta and watermelon are a wonderful combination. I hope you enjoy the salad Mary K!

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  6. hi there I've been MIA but I have thinking of you - what a wonderful post - I love watermelon and could have as a meal during summer anytime, in fact it was my lunch one day last week...last Friday I walked over to the deli and bought myself a small container of watermelon, I did not salt it, LOL - although on the 4th of July I did make a Watermelon with avocado and feta cheese salad - I seasoned it with salt and pepper and squeezed lime - it was delicious - enjoy your summer.

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    1. Welcome back Marisa! I totally understand how hard it is too keep up with blogging and networking through the summer! What a good idea to add avocado to a salad of this type - I am definitely trying that next time! I hope you are enjoying the summer as well!

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  7. I have one in the fridge now, but its hubbies I'm not much of a fruit eater, I like veggies better!

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    1. I think I like fruits and veggies about equally... I'm not sure there is really any of either that I don't like!

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