13 Refreshing Watermelon Recipes to Serve All Summer Long (2024)

FAQs

What can I put on watermelon to make it sweet? ›

Using brown sugar will give the watermelon hints of molasses and caramel while regular white sugar will add a rich sweetness.

Preparation and Serving

Watermelon tastes best icy cold in fruit smoothies, slushes, or simply eaten from the rind. To make melon balls, cut the watermelon in half lengthwise then into quarters. Watermelon balls can be scooped right out of rind. Create perfect balls, using a melon baller, and a twist of the wrist.

I took a tip from the practice of salting watermelon, which concentrates the juice and makes the sweetness more pronounced. Sugar has a similar effect, so I put out a couple tablespoons of sugar, along with the zest of a lemon and a couple handfuls of fresh mint leaves.

Place one half of the watermelon flat side down on a cutting board. Slice the watermelon into 1-2" pieces. Slice the watermelon in the opposite direction to form your watermelon 'spears'. Transfer the spears into a tub or container and repeat the previous steps with the remaining watermelon half.

Avoid mixing your watermelons, muskmelons, cantaloupe and honeydews with other fruits. Try not to mix acidic fruits, such as grapefruits and strawberries, or sub-acidic foods such as apples, pomegranates and peaches, with sweet fruits, such as bananas and raisins for a better digestion.

You should pick a melon that has a strong, consistent stripe pattern. The green stripes should be a deep, dark green, while the pale stripes should be a creamy, light yellow. Additionally, you may want to choose a dull-looking watermelon. If the melon is very shiny, it is likely underripe.

Salt is commonly used to dampen bitter flavors—Brussels sprouts or leafy greens are a good example—so when the bitterness of the watermelon is masked by the salt, the sugary sweetness shines. Salt also activates your salivary glands, so a bit of salt is enough to make watermelon seem juicier.

At this age, you can either serve watermelon in small bite-sized pieces, or in the classic triangular pieces, with the rind on (it is edible, so don't worry if the child teethes and munches on that part). If the child successfully bites off too-big pieces of the rind, simply cut some of the rind off before serving.

Avoid watermelon if you have diarrhea or a stomach flu. Watermelon is very hydrating to the bowels, and loosening as well.

Dealing With Bland Watermelon

If you slice in and are disappointed with the flavor, we've found that adding lime zest and juice helps pump it up and honestly... adding a little sugar does too. To make these drinks we pureed the food milled watermelon with sugar, ice and lime juice for a sweet treat.

What to do if you have a lot of watermelon? ›

I have two go-tos when it comes to watermelon beverages. I either turn to a Watermelon Cooler Slushy or make a Watermelon Agua Fresca. The recipes are relatively similar, featuring lots of watermelon flavor, a dose of white sugar to amplify the watermelon's natural sweetness, and lime juice for a touch of tartness.

Heat and sun exposure improves ripening and fruit sweetness. While watermelon does contain fruit suger - fructose.. Like all other fruits. It has 92% water in it, it tastes sweet does not make it high in sugar.

A small sprinkle of salt doesn't just offer a salty-sweet kick, it also brings out the sweetness in the watermelon, making this the perfect hack for when you dig into a lackluster slice. Trust me, I've had people FREAK over this simple trick; it's a game-changer.

Mix cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl. Place watermelon into serving bowls; sprinkle with spice mixture. Squeeze lime juice over spiced watermelon.

A ripe melon should have dark and dull skin. If the skin looks pale or shiny, it is not ripe. Check the pattern of the webbing or sugar spots (the dark zigzagged stripes). Larger webbing is a sign that the watermelon has been well pollinated and is oozing with sweetness.