Watermelons are, hands-down, the most refreshing fruit to have during summer. After all, its water content is approximately 92%, and only makes up only 2% of the total daily calories on a 1800 – 2000 calorie diet. Even the seeds have little amounts of zinc and iron, which is beneficial to the human body. But what can you do with one large watermelon, other than literally scooping it out of the shell and eating it? We came up with four simple ways you could make meals out of it.
1. Watermelon salad with balsamic reduction:
Sprinkle feta cheese and fresh mint leaves onto diced watermelon, then drizzle it with balsamic reduction. Reducing balsamic vinegar and sugar over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes gets you a syrupy-like dressing. Balsamic vinegar goes extremely well with fruits like strawberries and watermelon. This salad is a mixture of creamy, tangy and fresh all in one bite.
Photo by Tiare Brown
2. BLW, not BLT:
Instead of tomatoes in your regular BLT sandwiches, use watermelon slices. If you’re thinking that this sounds weird, the crunchiness of the bacon actually goes surprisingly well with watermelon. This is also quite unlike any other sweet and salty food combos.
Photo by Tiare Brown
3. Frozen alcoholic melon balls:
Summer parties are more fun with REAL melon balls instead of its namesake, which is actually a popular cocktail. Use an ice-cream scoop to form watermelon balls and place them in a container. Pour some pineapple juice and your favorite fruit-flavored vodka all over then serve it frozen.
Photo by Tiare Brown
4. Oldie but goodie: a watermelon smoothie
An easy four-ingredient smoothie is perfect for the hotter days to come. Blending frozen watermelon chunks with lemon yogurt, mint and honey is thirst-quenching and invigorating at the same time. Blend in other fruits like pineapple and raspberries if you like a zestier taste.
Photo by Tiare Brown