Katie's Thoughts on Watermelon!

Katie's Fun Facts

Watermelon's just too good to put down, and guess what? You don't have to! Don't stop just because you've gobbled up that sweet red, eat the whole thing! Every part of a watermelon is edible, even the seeds and rind!

Don't fret when your kids push their veggies aside, feed them watermelon! This sweet and juicy treat is actually a vegetable!

Stay hydrated this summer by eating watermelons! Made of 92% water, it's sure to cool you off and quench your thirst.

Be creative with your watermelons this summer. Carve them! Scoop out your watermelon to make a basket for a colorful watermelon salad, or turn it into a punch bowl and fill it with your favorite fruity watermelon drink. Early explorers even used watermelons as canteens.

Full of nutrition and loaded with fun. Try the watermelon diet this summer! On the hot summer days, watermelon brings refreshing taste along with a good supply of vitamins and powerful antioxidants!

Stay slim with watermelon! A one-cup serving has only 48 calories, but can provide 25% of your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C!

Easy Recipes from Katie

Blend up your watermelon this summer for a delicious red smoothie with a great thick texture!

Watermelon seeds are rich in fat and protein and make for a great snack or garnish for your next salad. Put them in a skillet with ¼ cup of water and some salt and let the water evaporate!

Wow your guest by making use of the entire watermelon! Pickle, stir-fry, or stew the rind for a creative new dish.

Make a simple table spread with watermelon and feta cheese! The sweet taste of watermelon paired with salty feta cheese is a match meant to be.

Go wild with the colors of watermelon and brighten up your summer salads with yellow watermelon! It's sweeter than red watermelon and has a juicy, honey-ish taste.

Make watermelon bites for a simple yet tasty appetizer! Cut watermelons into cubes put a piece of mint on top and stick in a toothpick! The colors look great together and combo is very refreshing.

Another great way to cool down with watermelons this summer is to make watermelon ice! You'll need 6 tablespoons of sugar, 4 lime leaves ½ cup of water and 1 and ½ pounds of seedless watermelon.

• In a sauce pan, over medium-low heat, add water, sugar and lime leaves. Heat until sugar dissolves and remove from heat; pour in a large bowl and allow to cool.
• Remove watermelon rinds and place water melon chunks into a food processor and pulse until it becomes slushy. Add watermelon slush to the sugar mixture.
• Chill 4 hours. Strain and freeze until firm.
• Thaw in the refrigerator for 1/2-hour before serving

What Katie Looks for when Buying a Watermelon

When shopping for a watermelon look for a round, oval or oblong shaped watermelon that feels heavy for its size, this because that indicates it's juicy and fresh.

Don't judge a watermelon by its color. The outside color is not a good guide to ripeness, but do avoid bruises and soft spots.

If you are buying a half of a watermelon or a pre sliced watermelon, look for a firm center and bright flesh!

It's a watermelon wonderland out there! There are over 200 different varieties of watermelon, but the five most common varieties at Picnic, Seedless, Ice Box, Yellow Flesh, and Mini-Watermelon. Have fun trying experimenting with these varieties, which are common in most grocery stores, and find the best one for each occasion.

Sometimes it's hard to determine how much watermelon you will need for a party. On average, a 5 lb watermelon yield 11 cups of edible watermelon.