Watermelon is one of my favorite summer fruits. It is synonymous with summer and family barbecues. It’s not only delicious and refreshing on a hot summer day but there are numerous health benefits.
The seedless varieties with deep red fruit have more of the antioxidant lycopene. There is also a big difference in taste too. I quit buying whole watermelons because I want to see how red they are, light colored fruit does not taste that good if you know what I mean. So, I always buy a half or a quarter so I can see the color!
One cup of watermelon contains 43 calories, 0 fat, 2 mg of sodium, 11 grams of carbs (9 grams of sugar), 1 gram of fiber plus many vitamins and other beneficial elements. Because it is 92 percent water it is good for hydration (that’s why we find it so satisfying to eat when the temps soar). This fruit can help the heart, aid digestion, inflammation; and these are just a few of its benefits.
Watermelon is a rich source of Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene. Vitamin A is fat soluble so it needs to be consumed with some fat to help the body absorb it. When I read this and discovered I should add cheese (or some other kind of fat) to this fruit, watermelon became even more appealing. Yes, I can add some crumbled feta or goat cheese to this afternoon snack, making it even more tasty! Maybe add a few toasted and chopped walnuts too!
One thing for sure I will be eating more watermelon this summer especially when the flesh is a deep red!
Recipes you might like:
Watermelon and Goat Cheese Salad With Pistachios and Lemon Verbena Dressing
Salt Blocks for Serving, Cooking and a Few Recipes
Of course there are many other ways to use watermelons such as popsicles, smoothies or lemonade. Some people make watermelon pickles with the rind (never tried to make). You can see this fruit is very versatile and the possibilities are endless…
This old picture was taken a number of years ago during my “baby watermelon growing days”. I love the saying at the bottom of this picture frame by Mark Twain “When One Has Tasted Watermelon He Knows What The Angels Eat”.
This year, we have watermelons growing in our garden – can’t wait to eat them. I love to make a compressed watermelon salad with feta.
The salad you mentioned sounds interesting – I looked it up as I have never heard of it before. The small watermelons always grew the best for me…
Great suggestions! I still haven’t found a good watermelon this year. Hoping to, as it’s one of my favorite fruits. Love it with feta cheese, and to mix it with strawberries. The rinds also make amazing preserves. 🙂
Thanks Ronit – nothing worse than a flavorless watermelon! The cheese/nuts/watermelon has become a new snack for me 🙂
A great post! I’ve never added nuts to watermelon salads, but now I will!
Thanks Mimi – nuts give the fruit some additional character and flavor of course!
Great post. Adding nuts to watermelon salad sounds interesting!
Thanks – I don’t always add but they give a different texture and “crunch”.
Creative idea of cooking.
Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Thanks – you’re very welcome!
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