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Named for its high water content-over 90%watermelon is one of two main melon categories. This allAmerican favorite is actually native to Africa. In arid
climates where water supplies are scarce, watermelons
are an essential thirst quencher.
The US grows hundreds of watermelon varieties. In
addition to the familiar oblong with red or pink flesh a nd
black seeds, many markets now carry round types with
yellow and orange flesh or seedless melons.
In season from May through September, refreshing
watermelon is a welcome treat on hot summer days.
Enjoy as juicy wedges, or cut into cubes or balls and use in
salads, drinks, and desserts.
Purchasing

Select whole watermelons that are symmetrical in
shape, heavy for their size and free of bruises, cuts
and dents.

A ripe watermelon will have a creamy yellow spot on
its underside where it sat on the ground during
ripening. Avoid those with a white spot as this
indicates the melon was picked early.

Cut watermelons should have dense, firm, brightly
colored flesh and black seeds. Avoid any with white
seeds and grainy pale flesh.

Refrigerate whole melons for up to 1 week. Not only
does it taste better cold, but chilling prevents the
flesh from becoming dry and fibrous.

Refrigerate cut melon in plastic wrap or airtight
plastic containers for up to 2 days.
Nutrition

Good source of vitamins A and C.

Naturally fat and sodium free.
Preparing

Wash outside of whole watermelon before
cutting. To make wedges, cut melon
lengthwise into halves. Cut each half
crosswise into quarters and each quarter
into 3 or 4 wedges.

Use a gadget called a melon baler to scoop
perfectly shaped spheres from watermelon
halves. The melon balls make a pretty
addition to fruit salads.

To easily cube watermelon, cut the ends off.
Stand melon up on one flattened end and
use sharp knife to cut off rind in strips from
top to bottom. Cut peeled melon crosswise
into slices. Stack a few slices and cut them
into cubes.
Recipes
Fresh Watermelon Spring Salsa

1 cup ice cubes
Place all ingredients in blender, cover. Blend
on high speed until smooth. Pour into four
glasses to serve.

1 1/2 cups chopped watermelon

1 cup chopped cucumber

1/2 cup chopped red onion

2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

2 tbsp. Italian dressing

2 tsp minced Serrano chile
Serving Ideas

1/4 tsp salt

Toss watermelon balls or cubes into
salads for extra color and flavor.

Jazz up your favorite gelatin mold by
stirring in watermelon chunks along with
other fruits.

Thread watermelon balls or chunks onto
small bamboo skewers along with other
summer fruits for colorful kabobs. Serve
with a yogurt dip.

Replace some of the fruit in your
favorite fruit salsa with chopped
watermelon.

Add eye appeal and great flavor to
summer punches by stirring in juicy, pink
watermelon cubes.
Mix all ingredients until well blended. Serve spooned
overcooked fish.
Water Melon Fruit Bowl

1 qt (4 cups) boiling water

2 pkg 8oz. Sugar free gelatin, any flavor

1 qt (4 cups) cold water

4 cups assorted summer fruits, such as watermelon
balls, honeydew balls, banana slices, strawberry slices

Watermelon bowl (see below)
Stir boiling water into dry gelatin in large bowl 3 minutes
or until gelatin is completely dissolved. Stir in cold water.
Refrigerate 1-1/2 hours or until thickened (spoon drawn
through leaved definite impression). Add fruit; stir until
well blended. Spoon into watermelon bowl. Refrigerate 3
hours or until firm.
Watermelon bowl: Select a large round watermelon. Cut
off a thin slice from bottom of melon. Cut off top 1/3 of
melon. Use sharp knife to scallop edge of larger piece, if
desired. Scoop out fruit from both pieces with a melon
baler. Invert watermelon shell on paper towels; let stand to
drain excess juices before filling with fruited gelatin. Mix
desired amount of watermelon with fruits before adding to
gelatin as directed. Reserve remaining watermelon for
snacking or another use.
Fruity Lemonade Cooler
Forsyth County Center
1450 Fairchild Rd
Winston-Salem NC 27105
336-703-2850
336-767-3557 (fax)
http://forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu
www.forsyth.cc/CES

2 cups water

1/2 cup lemonade flavor drink mix
North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University
commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of

2 cups chopped seedless watermelon
race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the
two universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.