How to eat watermelon and how to recognize when it is ripe

Wasting watermelon is very easy, and it happens in two ways: we weren't good at buying it (or we weren't able to store it properly), or we don't know how to eat it. There's a classic way to eat watermelon (slice it, bite into the flesh, and remove the seeds), but there are also surprising variations (the same seeds can be used in various ways).

In addition to the classic bite of watermelon, this fantastic fruit, rich in property It can be eaten in many other ways, like the ones below.

• With the spoon, directly from the rind: a method that saves you the hassle of cutting and preparing slices. It also guarantees maximum watermelon flavor.
• Particularly fresh and thirst-quenching the gazpacho, where watermelon marries tomato to which it gives a sweet and aromatic note.
• Watermelon juice, truly thirst-quenchingIt is very easy to prepare: just blend the pulp (perhaps adding a pinch of lemon or mint), filter the mixture to remove the seeds, and then put the natural drink in the refrigerator to always serve it fresh. And strictly without straws.
• The most surprising use, however, is when cooking it., because it changes consistency and almost seems like a salami or rather, a watermelon ham. Then there are the semi, rich in mineral salts such as zinc and potassium and good fats.
• Watermelon seeds can also be left unthrown.For example, in Asia they're even used as a natural remedy. For what? Lazy bowels. So don't overdo it, but always remember to set them aside; wash them well, removing any residual pulp, dry them, and store them in an airtight container. Before using, lightly toast them. Enjoy them whole or blended to form a sort of butter, and add them to sauces, smoothies, and juices.
• Remember that watermelon is made up of 95 percent water and you can juice it with fruit and vegetables for a juice that hydrates and restores good mood, or simply enjoy it in a salad with feta and olivesYou'll be enchanted. To preserve the nutrients and precious water content, it's best to consume the pulp raw, perhaps accompanied by mint, basil, and extra virgin olive oil, which improves vitamin absorption.
• If you don't like the taste and consistency of the seeds, you can always sprout them.Place them in a colander and moisten them a couple of times a day until a sprout appears. Rinse them afterwards (this will remove the black skin). You can use the sprouts to enhance your salads.
• As for the peels Here you will find three fantastic recipes to use them.

How to choose watermelon

To avoid making mistakes when buying watermelon, there is a very simple and effective method: use touch or just your gazeWhen you tap the fruit with your knuckles, it should bounce; if you hear a dull sound, it means the watermelon isn't ripe enough yet. Another tactile indicator is weight: A ripe watermelon has a considerable weight in relation to its size, as it has a lot of juicy pulp inside. As for the look, there are two things to keep in mind:

• The surface of the watermelon should be smooth and free of wrinkles.
• Check for yellowish or brownish areas and spots: these are indicators of a ripe fruit. Conversely, a watermelon dominated exclusively by green—too green—hasn't yet fully ripened.

How it is preserved

Watermelon can be stored, even for quite a long time, outside the refrigerator, in a cool environment and at room temperature.Obviously, in these conditions, it should be kept smooth and whole. If you've started cutting it, however, you should eat it immediately, and the remainder should be refrigerated to be consumed within a couple of days. The ideal, especially when temperatures are high, is to cut the watermelon into slices or cubes and refrigerate it a few hours before serving. Don't be fooled by the storage of watermelon: if it was picked unripe, it certainly won't ripen naturally during home storage.

How much watermelon can you eat in a day?

Considering its characteristics as a low-calorie fruit, with little sugar, we can be generous with watermelon. Knowing that It helps us quench our thirst without the risk of gaining weight, unlike any deadly sugary drink. A watermelon snack has a correct dose of about two hundred grams. Exaggerating, there is a risk related to the fact that watermelon, in significant quantities, also has a laxative effect and can lead to abdominal swelling.

Who can't eat watermelon?

There's only one group of people who should definitely avoid watermelon: diabetics. Those with gastritis and colitis, however, should be careful: eat watermelon on an empty stomach, not after meals. For breakfast in the morning or as a snack in the afternoonThe same goes for those with complex digestion: watermelon, with its significant water content, dilutes gastric juices, thus hindering their function. It's best to eat it between mealtimes.

Is there a difference between watermelon and watermelon?

The debate over the possible differences between watermelon and watermelon has divided not only food experts but even fruit academics for years. In the end, a consensus was reached by a large majority: watermelon and watermelon are the same fruitThe first is the botanical name for the fruit, the second is the commercial name. Furthermore, in the North it is called watermelon, and in the Center-South it is called cocomero.

How to use frozen watermelon?

Can watermelon be frozen? The answer is yes. And can it be eaten as if it were fresh? The answer is no. But let's proceed in order. To use frozen watermelon, we need to start with the way we put it in the freezer. Once washed, peeled, and seeded, we can proceed to cut it into pieces.

Not slices, let alone large ones, but small pieces. 3-centimeter cubes that we place in a freezer container and then freeze. At this point, the watermelon can keep in the freezer for up to a year, but when we take it out, we must be aware that it is very different from the watermelon we are used to eating fresh. It will be softer and less dense in sweetness. This means that to use frozen watermelon, it is best to turn it into a base ingredient for a smoothie, dessert, or juice.

Read also:

• Watermelon Recipes: The 5 Best
• Recycling Watermelon Rinds: 10 Ideas
• How to choose watermelon and melon

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