The summer months bring so much to look forward to, especially the delicious food. Watermelon is one of those fruits that we tend to equate with summertime fun, trips to the beach, and backyard barbecues. Here are some fun ways to cut a watermelon for get-togethers, parties, or just to share with friends and loved ones.
Before Getting Started
It’s always a good idea to wash your melon before cutting into it. You might notice that the exterior of the fruit has dirt or dust on it. Washing this away will keep it clean and prevent any bacteria from transferring to your knife and onto the flesh of the fruit. In addition, it’s best to have a sharp knife, as this can make more efficient cuts and reduce the risk of the knife blade slipping and cutting you. Sometimes, a serrated knife can help with cutting into a particularly large melon. Finally, a good-quality cutting board will provide a safe and secure surface on which to chop your watermelon, and it will keep most of the mess contained.
1. The Cube Method
To make cubes, you will want to cut off the rind of the melon. You can do this by carefully cutting off the two ends of the melon. This will make the top and bottom of the watermelon flat. Then, cut the melon in half so you have two halves with their tops and bottoms flat. Now you can place one half down on the cutting board with the widest flat side facing down. Take your knife and carefully start from the top of the upward-facing flat side and slice down the side of the melon, cutting off the rind. Go all the way around the melon until all of the rind is cut off. Then repeat with the other half.
To make the cubes, take one of the peeled halves and place it down on the cutting board. Hold your knife parallel to the cutting board and make one-inch thick slices down the length of the melon half. Then, repeat this process, but slice in a horizontal direction. Ideally, you also want these cuts to be about one-inch thick. The result will be uniform-looking cubes of watermelon.
2. The Stick Method
To cut the melon into sticks, start by simply cutting the watermelon in half so you have two untouched halves. Place one of them cut side down and hold your knife at the top of the half. Slice vertically down the length of the watermelon half, keeping about an inch between each slice. Then, you can repeat this process, but with horizontal cuts. Start from one side of the melon half (left or right) and slice horizontally to the other side, keeping the slices about one inch apart. The result will be long watermelon sticks that you can easily hold in one hand and nibble on with minimal mess.
3. The Slice Method
To make watermelon slices, start with your two halves. Take one of those halves and cut it lengthwise from top to bottom. This will give you two long pieces. You can cut each of those two pieces the same way, or keep them that size, if you prefer. Next, take each section one by one and remove the rind. You can do this by holding one end of the watermelon section with your non-dominant hand and using the knife to slice just above the rind along the length of the section so that just the flesh remains. Finally, start from one end of the peeled section and make horizontal cuts about two inches thick to give you sliced watermelon.
4. The Triangle Method
What’s better than a juicy, refreshing wedge of watermelon? Here’s how to cut melon triangles: Start by slicing the melon in half lengthwise so that you have two halves. Then, take one of those halves and cut that lengthwise into two sections. Take one of the sections and slice it horizontally into wedges or triangles of about half an inch thick. Repeat with the remaining sections and then start the same process on the other watermelon half.
5. Bonus Method: Watermelon Balls
If you have a melon baller, you can have lots of fun making cute watermelon balls. Just cut the melon in half lengthwise and use a melon baller to scoop out the flesh of each half. This will give you small balls of watermelon that you can add to fruit salads or just pop in your mouth. A melon baller works great on cantaloupe and honeydew too.
Fun Watermelon Recipes
If you want to do something different with your melon cubes or balls, how about adding them to a delicious summertime recipe?
Watermelon appetizers
For something cute and portable, skewer watermelon cubes on long, wooden bamboo toothpicks along with cubes of feta cheese and mint leaves. Alternate between watermelon, feta, and mint for a refreshing treat.
Salad with watermelon
Watermelon cubes also do well in summer salads. Try tossing them with fresh spinach leaves, slices of red onion, roasted pumpkin seeds, and some mint leaves. A simple poppy seed dressing rounds out this visually striking salad.
Watermelon soup
Soup might not be something you equate with summer, but a watermelon soup will keep you cool on a hot day. Take four cups of your melon cubes and blend them with two tablespoons of lemon juice, a tablespoon of honey, and a tablespoon of mint leaves. Chill the soup in the fridge for two hours before digging in.
Cocktails with watermelon
Another way to drink watermelon is as a beverage. How about a watermelon cocktail? Blend six cups of cubed watermelon in a blender and set half of it aside. Pour the other half of the melon juice in a pitcher along with a handful of mint leaves, five tablespoons of lime juice, one cup of white rum, and two-thirds cup of simple syrup. Add ice and top with one cup of club soda for a tasty watermelon mojito.
With these tips and recipes, you’ll be able to make the most of summer’s most beloved fruit. Enjoy!