LOS ANGELES, July 9 — Watermelon’s dribble-down-your-chin deliciousness adds an exclamation mark to any summer picnic. Memories of seed-spitting contests followed by a run through the sprinklers are the essence of childhood.
But there is so much more to love about watermelon. It is summer’s most versatile food. Dress it up or keep it simple. Soups, curries, salsas and salads; watermelon’s savoury sweetness deserves a place at every meal. Let your imagination go!
Whether you use the fruit in cocktails, healthy smoothies or a simple Mexican agua fresca with watermelon juice and a squeeze of lime, drink in the goodness of watermelon.
Check out these 10 killer ideas; you will never see watermelon the same way again.
Chocolate-dipped watermelon
This playful dessert has a grown-up sensibility perfect for summer parties. Melt 70 per cent dark chocolate in a bowl over simmering water. Pop watermelon slices into the freezer for 15 minutes. Dip the icy watermelon into the chocolate after it cools to room temperature. Sprinkle with sea salt.
Watermelon limeade
This refreshing drink has a smooth complexity that starts with ice-cold watermelon purée sweetened with chilli-and-honey simple syrup. Fresh lime juice adds some lively acidity. Spiked with tequila or mezcal, you have a crowd-pleasing cocktail.
Watermelon curry with chickpeas
Using a gently spiced curry — we make one with nigella seeds and fresh ginger popular in the western Indian state of Rajasthan — this dish becomes a meal with fresh cooked or canned chickpeas. Both sweet and spicy, this curry is delicious at room temperature.
Watermelon gazpacho
Zesty summer soup from your blender! Combine equal parts watermelon and tomatoes (1 pound each), one cup chopped cucumber, two slices red onion, 2/3 cup chopped celery, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with diced watermelon, celery, cucumber, mint leaves and olive oil.
Grilled watermelon stacks
Coat the watermelon slices with a honey, lemon and olive oil dressing balanced to taste before and after they are marked on the grill. The grilled melon stacks nicely with sliced feta, whole basil leaves and a sprinkling of toasted pistachios.
Pickled melon balls
Colourful and tasty! A quick pickling liquid made with champagne and rice wine vinegars, sugar, dried chillies, and sweet spices such as star anise, cinnamon and cloves, gives watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melon balls an unexpected tang.
Watermelon and almond smoothie
A refreshing breakfast or anytime pick-me-up straight from your blender. Combine two cups fresh watermelon, half cup blanched, ground almonds and enough almond milk to give you just the purée you prefer.
Watermelon salsa
Spicy and thirst-quenching, this watermelon salsa pairs perfectly with meaty fish. Two cups diced watermelon, one cup chopped cucumber, one minced Serrano chilli, 1/3 cup chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice and sea salt to taste.
Watermelon salad with goat cheese
This fresh take on watermelon salad features toasted mustard seeds and goat cheese with fresh mint. Other variations: Feta cheese, black olives, wild arugula, toasted pumpkin seeds or blueberries. Olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt and ground pepper to taste.
Sicilian watermelon jelly
Purée and strain watermelon to get four cups of juice. Whisk in 6 tablespoons of cornstarch, add two cinnamon sticks and a dash of vanilla extract. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring until thickened. Remove cinnamon sticks and chill in a serving bowl. Once firm, decorate with chocolate chips, jasmine flowers, candied fruit peel and crushed pistachios. — Zester Daily/Reuters
