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One of the most wonderful fruits of summer is the watermelon. You can find these sweet,
seasonal melons at farmers markets and road stands from around June through September.
A nutritious and delicious favorite, North Carolina watermelons will have your mouth
watering! I am The Produce Lady, and I work with North
Carolina Cooperative Extension. I want to share tips to help you make the most of watermelon.
The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt. Watermelons
were often placed in the tombs of kings to nourish them in the afterlife. Today, hundreds
of watermelon varieties are grown in the United States. North Carolina alone harvests an average
of 7,000 acres each year – that’s sixth in the country!
The more melons the merrier. Follow your eyes to a green, marbled melon with a nice symmetrical
shape. The fruit should be firm and free from bruises, cuts or dents. A juicy watermelon
will be heavy for its size; the fruit is 92 percent water! A pale yellow patch on the
underside means the melon is ripe.
To remove the seeds from a watermelon, try these tips. Be sure to wash your watermelon,
hands and knives before cutting it. Cut the watermelon in half, then into quarters. Cut
through the melon along the seed line with a paring knife. Scrape the seeds from the
piece you just removed and from the remaining fruit on the rind.
No doubt, one of the best ways to enjoy watermelon is just as Nature intended: sliced or in fresh
chunks. But if you want some variety, try these ideas.
A great way to prepare watermelon is grilling – and it will impress guests during your
next cookout or get-together. Simply brush with a combination of lime, honey and your
favorite chili sauce. It’s sweet, simple and savory – and you can find the recipe
at theproducelady.org.
For a kid-friendly snack, cut watermelon chunks and sticks. Blend 8 ounces sour cream, 4 tablespoons
honey and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a small bowl for a delicious watermelon dip!
Keep cut melon at room temperature for 2 hours or less. Refrigerate leftover melon in a sealed
container no more than 3 to 4 days. Uncut melons will keep for seven to 10 days at room
temperature. Be careful not to store them too long or they’ll lose their flavor.
Watermelon is not just good; it’s good for you! It has no fat or cholesterol, and is
an excellent source of vitamins, fiber and potassium. With higher concentrations of cancer-fighting
lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable, watermelon really is a wonder-fruit!
I am the Produce Lady. Find more healthy recipes, videos and nutritional information on fruits
and vegetables at theproducelady.org.