Watermelon season is here
It’s officially summer and, in this heat (yes, Britain, we actually have sunshine) we are always looking for some tasty, refreshing treat. And you’ve found one in watermelon.
Google say the word is trending. Ok, so, some of this year’s searches may be more related to that gorgeous crooner Harry Styles’ song Watermelon Sugar. But search term spikes are particularly high every June and July for this tasty fruit treat. And we can understand why.
This fruit is packed full of immune-boosting vitamins including A, B-6 and C. It’s great for hydration on hot days as it’s 92% water. It’s one of the most low-carb fruits you can eat, so is perfect for those on a keto-friendly diet. And it can be eaten on its own or as part of a tasty snack and meal. So, what’s not to love about this fruit?
What does Watermelon go well with?
Fruity
Delicious on its own as a refreshing snack or at any time of the day, watermelon is also extremly versatile and goes well with many different foods. If you’re using it with other fruits, try combining it with avocado, lemons, limes, berries and, of course, other melon varieties. Banana, mango and pineapple also work well. Fruit kebabs are a great way to combine fruit flavours. Not only do they taste great, but look stunning on any buffet table, or as an alternative canapé idea for a summer wedding. And for a real showstopper, scoop out the flesh and use the rind outer as a bowl for a summer fruit salad – and include the insides as part of the salad of course!
Dairy
Cheese makes another great taste companion to watermelon. Goats cheese, cheddar, feta and halloumi are all good choices when you’re preparing dishes. Salads are a popular choice in the summer so why not try combining watermelon with grilled halloumi for a mouthwatering side. Or put a spin on the traditional Greek salad by adding watermelon to feta and black olives for another summer taste sensation. And for another easy summer canapé idea, pair cubed watermelon with feta and a fresh mint leaf for a tasty, refreshing bite.
Savoury
Cheese aside, watermelon pairs well with fish and meat too. You can serve it as part of a side salad with meaty fish such as tuna steak and marlin or chicken, pork loins and steak. So, a watermelon accompaniment at a BBQ is sure to go down well. Pairing it cubed with prawns on a kebab also makes for a great taste sensation. Grilling watermelon gives the fruit a smoky flavour and a slightly meaty texture not dissimilar to prawns.
Spicy
Spice up your watermelon slice with a little seasoning or spice. Mint, chilli pepper, salt and ginger all give this fruit a lovely taste and are surprisingly good if you find watermelon a little bland. Contradictory to what you may think, salt enhances watermelon’s natural sweetness by drawing the liquid to the surface. Meaning, that each bit is more likely to be juicy and sweet.
Ways to enjoy watermelon
So, we know what to eat it with, but how else can you enjoy it. Well, you can:
Juice it – with its high water content, watermelon juice is especially hydrating
Slice it – enjoy big slices or push a stick in and enjoy it as a lolly
Cube it – chunks in a salad, chunks in your pack-up or chunks with cheese
Smoothie it – with an abundance of smoothie recipes online, you’re bound to find some great smoothie combinations
Fry it – cut a steak size portion, marinate and season it and then pan fry both sides for a delicious alternative to steak
What else can I do with watermelon?
We touched on making a bowl for your fruit salad earlier, but you could also whip up a portion of watermelon salsa and use the bowl for that too. If you’re feeling creative, you could also carve watermelon to make a centrepiece for your table. Like pumpkins, they can be effective with a little time and effort and can be used as containers for dishes and drinks alike. Check out Pinterest for some interesting ideas.
You can also eat watermelon rind (not everyone knows that). Most people devour the juicy flesh but throw the rest in the bin or on the compost heap. Using the whole watermelon lessens waste and adds to recipe and meal ideas. You can pickle watermelon rind. As it is pretty similar to cucumber it’s delicious pickled and a brilliant accompaniment to cheese. There are lots of recipes available online, but we like this one. Watermelon rind is really good stir-fried too. When sliced into thin strips it’s like any other vegetable – toss it in a pan with other veggies and enjoy its deliciousness. And don’t forget, if you are juicing or blending your watermelon, leave the rind on. It’s loaded with nutrients and water and gives that extra thickness to your drink.
If you’d like to know any help planning a summer menu, that may, or may not include watermelon, then we’d love to help. Get in touch with Carole and the team via our contact form or give Carole a call on 0208 9475337.
