Top 8 Things to Do with Watermelons

Watermelon is one of the most recognisable fruit when it is cut into pieces – that bright green skin and distinctive pink flesh.  Sure, there’s a lot of water in the watermelon but there’s also a lot of taste.  Here are eight things to do with watermelon to inspire you.

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Meet the watermelon

The watermelon comes from the same family as cucumbers, squash and pumpkins and is believed to have originally come from the Kalahari Desert area of Africa.  The fruit were placed in the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs as a tasty snack for the afterlife and they feature in artwork going back 5,000 years.

The world’s top producer is now China and merchants spread the fruit there back in the 10^th century.  It travelled to the US with slaves from Africa and early explorers used the fruit as canteens for their water.  The first cookbook published in the US in 1776 contained a recipe for pickling the rind of watermelons.

Watermelon health benefits

Few of us haven’t encountered the watermelon and it is one of those fruits that seems to be best served in the summer, when it is warm and sunny.  Perhaps that is because it is 92% water and therefore a great source of hydration during the warmer times. 

But that isn’t to say that the watermelon is without any other benefits to our health.

For starters, there is no fat in watermelon, no cholesterol or sodium.  It does have potassium, vitamins and other minerals.  In fact, a 2 cup serving provides the following amounts of the recommended daily amount (RDA):

• Vitamin A – 30%
• Vitamin C – 25%
• Potassium – 8%
• Dietary fibre – 4%
• Iron – 4%
• Calcium – 2%

All of these come from 8% of the fruit that isn’t water so there’s a lot going on there!  The same portion does include around 20grams sugar and a gram of protein.

Then there are the subtler benefits from the watermelon.  High levels of something called lycopene are great for protecting cells against damage and can even play a part in reducing the risk of heart disease.  It is also an anti-inflammatory agent as it is an anti-oxidant as is choline, also found in the fruit.

Another element is arginine that helps the blood to flow and can assist the body in getting rid of excess fat.  Studies have shown that watermelon can help lower blood pressure and reduce hypertension.

Tips on Choosing the Perfect Watermelon and Storing It Correctly

To get the most out of your watermelon recipes, it’s important to choose the right fruit and store it properly. Here are some tips to help you pick and store the perfect watermelon.

How to Pick a Ripe Watermelon

Look for a watermelon with a uniform shape and a dull, not shiny, rind. The field spot (the area where the watermelon rested on the ground) should be a creamy yellow color. Give it a tap – a ripe watermelon will sound hollow.

Storing Your Watermelon

Uncut watermelon can be stored at room temperature, but once it’s cut, it should be refrigerated. Wrap the cut pieces in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

Maximizing Shelf Life

To extend the shelf life of your watermelon, consider freezing it. Cut it into cubes and place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once frozen, store the cubes in a freezer bag. Frozen watermelon is perfect for smoothies and other recipes.

Watermelons Drinks

Watermelon is a classic for making drinks with its high water content and fresh taste.  A simple idea is to make Watermelon Slushies by taking 300 grams seeded watermelons, eight ice cubes and a teaspoon of honey.  Pop them all into the blender and mix together then serve in a tall glass.

Watermelon and Strawberry Lemonade

Homemade lemonade is a definite summer classic for those warm nights that we hope to see at some stage during the season! 

To serve eight, take 1.2kg watermelon, cubed and seeded and 150g hulled and halves strawberries.  You add them to the blender with 120ml fresh lemon juice, 200grams caster sugar and 475ml water.  Blend until smooth and serve.

Watermelon Fizz

• 900g watermelon
• 250ml prosecco, cava or other white sparkling wine
• 2 tbsp. lime juice
• 1 tsp lime zest
• Sugar syrup
• Mint to garnish

Leave the watermelon to chill in the fridge overnight then put it in the blender with the wine, lime juice and zest then blend until smooth.  Add sugar syrup to taste and then serve into a Collins glass with a garnish of mint.

Watermelon Smoothie with Blueberries

Making smoothies with watermelon does result is a more watery drink than with other types of fruit but is perfect for warm days when you want to get plenty of water in. 

Take half a seeded watermelon with a cupful of ice and pop it in the blender until slush.  You can then either add the blueberries whole once the mixture is in the glass or if you are like me, pop them in and give them a whizz too.

Light meals

Watermelon Feta Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients:

• 1 small round seedless watermelon, cut in half with flesh removed
• 3 oz. feta cheese, cut into evenly sized pieces
• 3 cups fresh arugula, cleaned and dried

Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette Ingredients:

• 2 T. fresh lime juice
• 3 T. fresh cilantro, washed, dried and chopped into small pieces
• 3 T. grapeseed oil
• 1 t. Dijon mustard
• 1 T honey
• 2 t. ground cumin
• 2 t. sea salt
• ½ t. pepper

Directions:

If possible, make the lime-cilantro vinaigrette in advance to give the flavors a chance to meld. Combine all ingredients in a small glass bowl and whisk to combine thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Cut small watermelon in half, then remove and reserve flesh in a glass bowl. Pat the inside of each empty watermelon rind with a paper towel to dry. Set aside to use as serving bowls for the finished salad.

Add feta and washed arugula to glass bowl along with the watermelon. Top with vinaigrette and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

To serve, add watermelon feta mixture to reserved watermelon rinds and garnish with sprigs of fresh cilantro.

Note: if you are serving more than 2 people, substitute other serving bowls or use additional small, round watermelons.

Duck and watermelon salad

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 2 duck breasts
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 30g coriander leaves, chopped
• 15g mint leaves, chopped
• 250g watermelon in chunks
• 100g cashew nuts
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 2 tbsp. pomegranate or cranberry juice
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 ½ tbsp. brown sugar

Start by preparing the duck – score the skin of the breasts in a cross pattern without scoring the meat underneath.  Rub in salt and pepper into the skin and pop it in a non-stick pan.  After 5 minutes, juice will begin to drain out so increase the heat slightly.  Once the skin is crispy, flip the duck and cook the other side for 5 minutes or to preference.

Remove the duck from the pan and leave it to cool.  In a bowl mix the chopped coriander, mint, watermelon and the nuts.  Add the oil and juice, soy sauce and sugar then mix.  Serve onto plates.  Cut the duck into pieces or slices and lay this on top of the salad.

Shrimp Pico de Gallo

This one comes from the Watermelon Board’s website, the people who represent the people who produce these tasty fruits for us.

Ingredients (serves 6-8)

• 2 tbsp. canola or vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp. minced jalapeno
• 3 tbsp. minced shallots
• 1 tbsp. minced garlic
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Juice from 3 limes
• 2 cups watermelon mined
• 2 cups cooked, cooled, peeled and deveined shrimp (prawns)
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• 1 cup roasted red peppers diced

Heat oil in a non-stick pan over a medium heat then sauté the jalapenos, shallots and garlic.  Take from the heat and add the soy sauce and cumin then leave to cool.  Add ingredients to a bowl and toss with lime juice, watermelon, shrimp, peppers and parsley.  Season with black pepper if required and serve.

Watermelon gazpacho

Cold soups are brilliant in the warmer months and this is a watermelon version of the classic gazpacho dish.

Ingredients

• 1kg watermelon, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped and deseeded
• 1 red pepper, chopped and deseeded
• 3 cloves garlic
• 200g bread
• 1 cucumber
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. sherry vinegar

Take most of the watermelon and all the other ingredients apart from oil and vinegar and pop them in the blender.  Blender until smooth then stir in the olive oil and vinegar.  Season with salt and black pepper as required.  Chill until cold and served with the remaining watermelon finely chopped on top.

Enjoy your watermelon!

One of the great things about watermelon is that you can chop it, remove the skin and seeds and enjoy it just like that. But there are also loads of things to do with it if you want to go a bit further or try something different!

More watermelon recipes