Nothing beats the summer heat like chilled fresh watermelon! Nutritious and hydrating, watermelon is the perfect hot weather treat. When temperatures soar, cool off with our favorite watermelon recipes.Personally, I love homemade watermelon ice pops. Simply puree seedless watermelon with a bit of honey or natural cane sugar to taste. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice and freeze in ice cube trays or ice pop molds. Yum!
If ice pops aren’t your thing, try a watermelon beverage or cooler. You can add watermelon to smoothies, fruit or vegetable juices. Try Watermelon Lemonade opens in a new tab, Strawberry Watermelon Coolers opens in a new tab or frosty Watermelon Granitas opens in a new tab. Watermelon Agua Fresca opens in a new tab is a popular thirst-quencher in Mexico, and for all you green tea lovers, Honeydew Green Tea opens in a new tab is just as refreshing and delicious when made with watermelon.
Although mostly enjoyed on its own or as part of a fruit salad, watermelon is so incredibly versatile you can add it to vegetable salads, soups, main dishes, salsas, beverages and desserts. Here are some tips and recipes:
Fruit salads, of course. My favorite combo: Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and sweet cherries. If you like spice, you’ll love this Watermelon and Strawberry Salad with Chile Vinaigrette opens in a new tab.
Add to vegetable salads. Spoon cubed watermelon over a favorite spinach salad. This Watermelon and Arugula Salad opens in a new tab is made with feta cheese and purple onions.
Few would pair tomatoes with watermelon, right? Well, wait till you try our Tomato and Watermelon Salad with Feta and Mint opens in a new tab. It’s really good! And so is this Watermelon Tomato Gazpacho opens in a new tab and this Watermelon Salad with Tomatoes, Goat Cheese and Basil opens in a new tab.
Make cold fruit soup with watermelon. Consider blending strawberries, watermelon and raspberries with fruity red wine. Yogurt, lemon and mint with watermelon is another great combo. You can experiment with any favorite fruit combinations. Apples and watermelon are delicious together! Fresh herbs, spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, a little honey, agave, natural cane sugar, a favorite wine or sparkling wine, or fruit sweetened jam can add just the right amount of flavor and sweetness.
Next time you buy or make homemade salsa, consider adding watermelon. It’s great with grilled fish or shrimp, tofu or tempeh. This Halibut with Watermelon Salsa opens in a new tab is flavored with raspberry vinegar and a pinch of cayenne.
Shrimp, Watermelon and Goat Cheese Salad opens in a new tab is amazing. For variety, try it with scallops in place of shrimp.
Make watermelon “ice” cubes, or cube watermelon and drop into a glass of sparkling water, natural soda or wine. Try this recipe for Sangria Coolers opens in a new tab with watermelon.
Spoon cubed watermelon over ice cream, frozen yogurt, or favorite non-dairy frozen treat.
Make watermelon sorbet.
This summer, bring a watermelon treat to a picnic, family gathering or an outdoor barbeque and you’re sure to be everybody’s favorite person!
Do you cool off with watermelon? Got a favorite idea or recipe? Let me know.
