Did you know that today is National Watermelon Day? Yes, August 3rd celebrates the watermelon, a classic picnic food and summer-time treat.
To celebrate the day, we’re going to tell you to play with your food a bit.
First, select a good, ripe watermelon. It should be easy as pie:
Pick up the watermelon and look it over for any cuts or bruises. The fruit should be firm and free of any dents. Don’t worry about the yellow spot. That is just the underside of the melon where it touched the ground. That part remained yellow, while the rest of the fruit ripened.
Now for the fun part:
Decorative Watermelon Fruit Bowl
Select a small, oval (symmetrical) watermelon. Position it so that it is stable and will not roll off the table. Place the yellow spot on the bottom if possible. (It is probably the most stable position since it is the way it grew.)
Find the center of the melon and slice it in half, horizontally.
With a melon baller, scoop out the flesh and set aside.
Once the melon is hollowed out, using a fine-tipped marker draw a line around the fruit 1/2 inch below the top of the watermelon. Mark or divide the line in one inch increments. Repeat the marks at the top edge of the fruit, they will be used as a pattern for the rim. Count the marks, they should be an even number to cut the design properly.
In a zig-zag fashion, using the marks as a guide, carve the decorative border around the edge of the fruit.
Once complete, fill your watermelon bowl with the balled melon and other fresh fruit. Cantalopes, honey dew, strawberries and blueberries add color and make for a beautiful presentation.