Watermelon Recipes
by Roberta B. Turner

Watermelons are 92% water but this fruit is soaked with nutrients. Every bite of watermelon has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, antioxidants and amino acids. Fresh watermelon is certified by the American Heart Association’s “Heart Checkmark” program as being low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Here are some tasty recipes that you might want to try. Watermelon is popular in the summer; however, watermelon is available all year’ round.

The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) operates with a single objective: to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research, and educational programs. The Orlando-based non-profit organization was formed in 1989 by watermelon growers and shippers in the United States. They have provided some of the recipes and photographs for this article. Enjoy!

Watermelon
Mimosa

INGREDIENTS
•
1 cup watermelon juice (puree and strained)
•
1/2 cup light Champagne
(preferably not brut, but rather asti or similar)
INSTRUCTIONS
Divide watermelon juice among 2 to 3 Champagne flutes. Fill with Champagne and enjoy!

Servings: Makes 2 to 3 cocktails.

Watermelon
Fireball Shots

INGREDIENTS
•
1 bottle of Fireball whiskey or cinnamon flavored whiskey
•
40 watermelon balls
INSTRUCTIONS
1.
Soak watermelon balls in Fireball at least one hour, or up to 24 hours.
2.
Place a watermelon ball in a shot glass and pour Fireball shot over.

Watermelon
Coconut Margarita

INGREDIENTS
•
2 cups seeded watermelon chunks
•
2 ounces coconut flavored rum
•
1/2 cup shredded coconut
•
1 lime (juice from a fresh lime)
•
1 cup ice
INSTRUCTIONS
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a sugar rimmed glass.

Servings: Makes 1 serving

Watermelon
Champagne Sangria

INGREDIENTS
•
2 cups chopped, seedless watermelon
•
1 seedless orange, peeled and broken into sections
•
2 bananas, peeled and sliced just before making the sangria
•
1 cup seedless grapes, cut into halves
•
1 bottle dry Champagne of your choice
INSTRUCTIONS
Toss the fruit together and divide among Champagne glasses. Pour the Champagne over and serve.

Servings: Makes 6 servings

Watermelon
Gazpacho

INGREDIENTS
•
5 cups chopped seedless watermelon
•
1/2 cup chopped yellow onions
•
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
•
1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt
•
1/4 teaspoon pepper
•
1 teaspoon cumin
•
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
•
2 teaspoons chopped jalapeno
•
1 tablespoon lime juice
•
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
•
1 cup finely chopped seedless watermelon, reserved for garnish
•
1/2 – 1 cup finely diced avocado, reserved (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Puree the first 10 ingredients in a blender until smooth. Adjust the seasonings as needed. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Stir in the finely chopped watermelon and avocado at serving time..

Servings: Makes 4 servings

Fire & Ice Salsa

INGREDIENTS
•
3 cups seeded and chopped watermelon
•
1/2 cup green peppers
•
2 tablespoons lime juice
•
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
•
1 tablespoon green onions
•
2 tablespoons jalapeno peppers
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine ingredients; mix well and cover. Refrigerate 1 hour or more.

Servings: 3 cups

Mediterranean Salad

INGREDIENTS
•
6 cups torn mixed salad greens
•
3 cups cubed seeded watermelon
•
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
•
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
•
dash cracked black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
In large bowl, mix all ingredients except oil and pepper. Just before serving, toss salad mixture with oil. Garnish with pepper.

Servings: Makes 6 servings

Grilled Watermelon
Burgers

INGREDIENTS
•
4 hamburger patties ready to grill
•
4 slices white cheddar cheese
•
4 slices watermelon about the same size as the burgers, seeded
•
1 tablespoon ground pepper
•
4 buns toasted
INSTRUCTIONS
Grill the hamburgers to desired temperature but 30 seconds before they are done, place a cheese slice atop each burger. Place the watermelon slices on the grill and dust with the pepper to taste. Assemble the burgers on the buns with a slice of warmed watermelon on each burger on top of the cheese.

Servings: Makes 4 servings