When you think of summer, what foods come to mind for you? For me, I think of corn on the cob, pasta salad, grilled hot dogs and burgers, s'mores, and WATERMELON! Summer just wouldn't be summer without watermelon, right? Watermelon adds a new twist and a sweet flavor to different recipes that your taste buds will not be expecting.
Here are a few ways to enjoy watermelon this summer:
Add to your salads!
Make a yummy Summer Watermelon Salad:
- Ingredients: 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon, 2 cups cubed tomatoes (we love Campari), ½ cup halved and thinly-sliced red onion, a handful of torn fresh basil, ¼ cup avocado oil, 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, feta cheese for topping/garnish (we also like it with shaved Parmesan), kosher salt and cracked pepper to taste
- Directions: In a large bowl, combine oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper and whisk together. Add watermelon, tomato, onion, and basil and toss until coated. Serve at room temperature or chill for later. Add cheese right before serving. Serve with crusty bread for a fresh and light lunch.
More salad ideas:
- Watermelon Salad with Mint and Lime
- Slice watermelon thin and add to a Caprese salad
- Wrap in prosciutto and add to your anti-pasta platter or charcuterie board
Make salsa! This is a MUST HAVE for summer gatherings!
WATERMELON SALSA
PREP TIME: 15 Minutes SERVINGS: 12 Servings
Ingredients: 1/2 whole small seedless Watermelon, diced 1/2 whole Red Onion, diced 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, seeded and diced 1 whole green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced 1 whole yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely diced 2 whole jalapeños, seeded and finely diced 1 whole bunch cilantro, juice Of 1-2 limes and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Directions: Throw all the ingredients into a large bowl and toss it together. Taste with a chip and adjust ingredients as needed. Serve with chips or on top of grilled chicken, fish or serve as a side salad!
Don't throw out the rinds!
Just remove the green and you can make all kinds of treats!
- Pickle the rinds for a tart treat.
- Grate the rinds and add to coleslaw.
Slice it!
- Eat it as is, or bring out the sweetness by sprinkling a little sea salt on your slices.
- Add to toast with goat cheese, honey, and thyme.
Grill it!
- For a savory treat, grill slices or chunks and try different spices and flavors like chili powder and lime or honey.
- Grill Caribbean kabobs with chicken, pineapple, peppers, and watermelon.
Freeze it!
Watermelon Popsicles! Blend 1 pound of watermelon in a blender. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of lime juice. Add water or juice of watermelon until it liquifies. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
Mix up Granitas! Granitas are so refreshing. We love this simple granita recipe from Johnstown, Laurel Highlands, Altoona, Pa., Macaroni Kid publisher Julie Follansbee:
- Ingredients: 4 cups of cubed watermelon, seeded; juice of 1/2 of a lime; 1/4 cup sugar
- Instructions: Puree all ingredients, pour into a shallow dish, freeze for one hour, scrape off the top, layer by layer, with a fork and serve with a garnish of lime or fresh mint leaves.
Make a watermelon cake! Peel and cut your watermelon in the shape of a cake, ice with whipped topping, and top with berries. So fun!
Watermelon is not only delicious but healthy too — it is full of vitamins A & C, lycopene, potassium, and amino acids. So don't just grab this big round ball of goodness for the 4th of July holiday — enjoy it all summer long.
