There’s More to Watermelon Than a Big Slice

There is nothing like a big slice of watermelon on a hot summer day. This member of the cucumber family is nutrient packed. Watermelon is high in the antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin A, and Lycopene. Even better, you can do a lot with watermelon. Think granita, pickled rind, cocktails made from the juice, salsa, gazpacho, salads mixed with arugula, and the tasty recipes shared here.

Watermelon Feta Appetizer

Sweet, juicy watermelon, tangy balsamic sauce,  and savory feta are delightful in this simple, elegant appetizer

serves 6

Sweet, juicy watermelon, tangy balsamic sauce,  and savory feta are delightful in this simple, elegant appetizer

1 lb. seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

6 ounces feta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 Tbsp fresh basil, finely sliced

2 1/2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp plus

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp raspberry preserves

Dash each of onion powder, freshly ground black pepper and sea salt

Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, raspberry preserves, onion powder, pepper, and salt in a small bowl until sauce becomes smooth. In a small saucepan, heat the sauce over medium heat until bubbling. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring regularly, until the sauce is reduced by half and becomes syrupy about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.  Using toothpicks or appetizer skewers, stack a piece of feta between two pieces of watermelon on each toothpick. Place each stack neatly on a platter, and sprinkle with basil. Drizzle the raspberry balsamic sauce over the watermelon-feta stacks before serving.

Grilled Watermelon

1 personal-sized watermelon (about 3 pounds)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 Tbsp finely grated lime zest (from 1 medium lime)

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Lime wedges from zested lime, for serving

Heat an outdoor gas grill to high or prepare a charcoal grill for direct heat grilling. Trim the ends off the watermelon. Stand the watermelon on one cut end, cut in half, then cut each half in half again. Cut the quarters into 1/2-inch-thick slices.  Combine the sugar, lime zest, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Sprinkle the watermelon slices on both sides with the sugar mixture, then rub the sugar mixture in to create an even coating. Grill the watermelon until grill marks appear and the watermelon is warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.

Serve the grilled watermelon on its own with lime wedges, topped with feta cheese or Greek yogurt, or as dessert with a scoop of ice cream.

For more watermelon recipes check out Bon Appetite.