July 2017…Quench your thirst with watermelon! Watermelons are 92% water. That makes it a wonderful juicy, hydrating summertime snack or meal side dish. According to the website fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org, watermelon is a good source of Vitamin A, C, B6, and potassium. It also contains lycopene, an antioxidant that gives watermelon its pinkish red color and that, among other things, is studied for its potential role in reducing the risk of heart disease. Watermelon is one of the most commonly consumed fruits in the United States.
For $5 or less in the summertime, you can get a whole watermelon! That’s a lot of watermelon! Besides just cutting it up and enjoying it as is, here are some other delicious ways to eat it (adapted from 2017 Allrecipes.com).
Refreshing Cucumber Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
1 small red onion, halved and sliced into thin half-moons
2 tablespoons lime juice, or more to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 seedless watermelon, cut into cubes
3 small cucumbers, seeded and cut into cubes
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup mint leaves, sliced thinly
Directions
Mix red onion with lime juice in a bowl; set side to marinate at least 10 minutes. Stir olive oil into mixture.
Toss watermelon, cucumbers, and feta cheese together in a large bowl. Pour the red onion mixture over the watermelon mixture; toss to coat. Sprinkle mint over the salad; toss.
Strawberry-Melon Summer Salad
Ingredients
1 cup lemon yogurt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 cups watermelon balls
2 cups cantaloupe balls
2 cups halved fresh strawberries
Directions
In a salad bowl, whisk together the lemon yogurt, and lemon juice until smooth, and gently fold in the watermelon balls, cantaloupe balls, and strawberries. Toss to coat, and serve.
Watermelon Ice Pops
(If you don’t have popsicle molds, you can use ice cube trays or small paper cups)
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups watermelon, seeded and diced
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon white sugar
Directions
Blend watermelon, water, lemon juice, and sugar together in a blender until smooth. Pour mixture into ice pop molds and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
Run hot water over ice pop molds for a few seconds to unmold.
—By Amy Deahl-Greenlaw, registered dietician nutritionist
