Watermelon makes a great party snack. Here is the easiest way to take a whole watermelon and cut it into watermelon sticks.
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For more healthy snacks to try at your next party, check out my recipes for Fruit and Veggie Kabobs and Easy Guacamole.
Delicious Summer Fruit
Fresh cut watermelon is a popular summer snack partly because it is made up of 92% water. This helps to rehydrate our bodies in the summer heat in a very delicious way. Now when it comes to slicing it, watermelon balls or even watermelon cubes can be so messy and awkward to eat. Using a cookie cutter can be cute, but again- messy. Cutting watermelon into sticks is the only way to cut watermelon in my opinion.
Other ways to enjoy ripe watermelon are in fruit salads, added to your smoothies, or try this recipe for Watermelon Feta Salad that looks delicious.
Easy Method
Here is the easy way to cut watermelon:
- Start with a large cutting board that has a ridge to hold your juices.
- With a nice sharp knife, cut your watermelon in half along the equator, not the two ends, to give you two halves.
- Turn the halves upside down so that the flat side is on the cutting board. I like to cut off some of the outer rind so that the sticks have more of the flesh showing, but this step is optional.
- Cut the watermelon in slices going in one direction, then rotate it 90 degrees and cut slices going the opposite direction making a cross hatch.
- You've got sticks!
Storage
Store the remaining watermelon in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Uncut watermelon should be stored at room temperature.
How to Tell When a Watermelon is Sweet
My first tip for buying deliciously sweet watermelon is to try your local farmers market. We have a great local one here in St. Augustine called the Wednesday Pier Farmer's Market. Keep in mind that the peak time for watermelons is typically July-August here in the United States. Some of the things I look for when picking a watermelon are: dull skin (not shiny), well rounded shape, and a large yellowish ground spot on the bottom of the watermelon or the side from where it sat to ripen. Some people say you can also tell by thumping a watermelon, and if it makes a hollow sound then it's likely too ripe and mushy. I find this method a little tricky to judge personally.
How To Tell if Watermelon Has Gone Bad
As with most produce, you can usually tell pretty quickly if your watermelon has gone bad by using your senses of sight and smell. If the watermelon is giving off a bad or foul odor, it's time to toss it. If you see any signs of mold or fuzz on the watermelon rind or the flesh, that's another sign it has gone bad. I also wouldn't eat a watermelon that was overly soft or felt slimy.
Health Benefits of Watermelon
There are many health benefits to enjoying watermelon year round:
- Watermelon contains high levels of lycopene. In fact, they contain more than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene may play a role in regulating blood pressure, reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases, and maintaining healthy skin.
- Watermelon contains the amino acid L-citrulline. This may help support vascular health and help maintain healthy blood flow. This is especially beneficial for those with high blood pressure and for athletes.
- It's a low calorie food with a sweet flavor, making it a great snack of choice for someone with a sweet tooth
- It's over 90% water, so it is a snack that will also help you stay hydrated- perfect for hot summer months
- For someone trying to lose or maintain a healthy weight, this can be a great snack option to help you feel full and satisfied due to its high water content and few calories.
- 1 cup of watermelon contains 12 mg vitamin C which can support a healthy immune system.
To enjoying watermelon season,
Jenna
For more step-by-step tutorials, check out Best Way to Cut Fruits and Veggies for Kabobs.
