Watermelon: Summer’s Perfect Fruit
“The sound of a knife cutting through watermelon rind is the sound of summer.” – Yotam Ottolenghi.
Well, there's a perfect way to start this month's column.
Watermelon seems to have its own summer aura. Even though we see it in stores pretty much all year round, like great organic tomatoes or fresh organic corn, it truly lets you know that summer has arrived. Thank goodness, right?
As Toni Morrison says, “Watermelon is more than a fruit; it’s a time machine that takes me back to simpler days,” days that many of us may crave in these uncertain times.
Who doesn’t like watermelons? They are sooooo sweet, juicy, and oh-so-fun to eat! And there are so many to choose from. Did you know that there are over 1,200 varieties of watermelon grown worldwide? That’s right, and I bet I’ve only tried 30 of those! How many have you tried?
Red watermelon is the most popular, with the large ‘picnic’ melons, the family-sized “icebox” melons and the smaller “baby” and “doll” varieties, giving you lots of options to choose from. One of my favorite red melons is Crimson Sweet: round and averaging 25 pounds, with light green and dark green stripes. The inside has sweet, firm, bright red flesh.
Then again, it's hard to beat a beautiful organic Moon and Stars, described by Baker Creek seeds as a legendary heirloom variety rediscovered in Macon, Missouri. It can grow to over 40 pounds! The dark green rind has bright yellow spots on it—the spots can range in size from tiny to several inches across, and it has very sweet, brilliant red flesh as well.
While the Melissa's organic red watermelons are good, don't get stuck there! If you really love watermelon, you have to try yellow watermelons. They are virtually seedless, perfectly sweet and crisp, often winning out over red varieties in side-by-side taste tests.
So how do you pick a good one? Mark Twain describes watermelon like this: “When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat.” He reportedly said that an unripe melon will make a “pink” or “pank” sound when thumped, but that a ripe melon will give a resounding “PUNK,” like a drum.
In my experience, when you tap a melon with your knuckles, the melon should produce a deep, rich thudding sound, more like a tenor than a bass. Visual cues to look for when selecting melons are a creamy yellow underside and a smooth, symmetrical shape. Avoid melons with a flat side or shiny skin. The skin should be dull and slightly waxy, and the stem should be attached, brownish and dry. Lastly, pick it up! A watermelon should always feel heavy for its size. Do a side-by-side comparison and you'll be surprised at the difference.
Now, grab a knife, cut a slice, and go out and take a nice, messy bite on the porch. Only then will you fully understand why Enrico Caruso says: “Watermelon—it’s a good fruit. You eat, you drink, you wash your face.”
As you sit with a sticky-sweet smile and fingers, enjoy this beautiful sentiment from Emily Dickinson: “Watermelon doesn’t ask for much, just a moment of appreciation for its natural simplicity.”
One last thought: while Melissa's seedless watermelons may make enjoying this summer treat easier, buy one with seeds now and then. It's pretty darn fun to spit seeds onto the lawn just because you can! You may even draw some kids or friends to join you.
Stay cool and hydrated this month—August is just around the corner.
