This recipe allows you to add some flavor to a healthy and nutritious fruit like watermelon, even if the cooking method used is not the healthiest. In recent years, this recipe seems to have taken hold in country fairs and other events. There is no doubt that it is a gluttony capable of creating addiction, and of which one cannot do anything but ask for more. It is often served in the form of skewers or sometimes more simply in a bowl. Although the skin of the watermelon is normally thrown away, this guide offers a recipe that will allow you to fry this part of the fruit as well.
Ingrediants
Fried Watermelon
- 1 Watermelon weighing 3-3.5 kg (preferably without seeds)
- 2 egg whites
- 2 teaspoons of water
- 100 g of flour
- 30 g of Corn Starch
- 750 ml of oil for frying (e.g. sunflower oil)
- Powdered sugar for decoration
Fried Watermelon Peel
- 500 g of watermelon peel cut into cubes
- 40 g of Corn Flour
- 40 g of flour
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 250 ml of oil for frying
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Fried Watermelon
Step 1. Cut the watermelon in half lengthwise, then cut each of the halves into two parts
The second cut will also be made lengthwise.
Step 2. Place each of the four watermelon slices on the cutting board
Remove the peel from each slice. Don't throw away the peel, save it for the next recipe.
Step 3. Cut the watermelon pulp into slices about 2.5cm thick
Then cut each slice into cubes, sticks or small triangles. To add a pinch of creativity to the recipe, you can use pastry molds and create special shapes, including stars and hearts.
Step 4. Prepare the batter
Beat the egg whites vigorously. Add the cornstarch and water, then mix the ingredients together using a whisk. When the mixture is smooth and homogeneous, you can start battering the watermelon.
Step 5. Heat the oil in a deep fryer and bring it to a temperature of 180 ° C
Step 6. Bread each piece of watermelon in flour
Step 7. Now dip each piece of watermelon pulp into the batter
Try to create an even layer.
Step 8. Fry the watermelon in the deep fryer
Do not fry too many pieces of watermelon at the same time, otherwise the temperature of the oil may drop too low, making your frying moist and greasy. Fry a maximum of 3-4 pieces of watermelon at a time.
Step 9. Fry it until the batter takes on the classic external browning
Use a slotted spoon to remove the watermelon pieces from the deep fryer and place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Step 10. Sprinkle the fried watermelon with powdered sugar
Step 11. Serve
You can serve your fried watermelon using a flat plate or bowl. For a touch of elegance, you can skewer the watermelon pieces with skewers or popsicle sticks.
Tell diners that the watermelon inside could be very very hot, given the high water content of this fruit
Method 2 of 2: Fried Watermelon Peel
Step 1. Cut the watermelon peel into small cubes
Try to make cubes that are about 2.5cm apart.
Alternatively, you can opt to get wedges from the watermelon peel. Try both versions and choose the one that suits you the most
Step 2. Prepare the breading
In a bowl, mix the cornstarch and flour. Add salt and pepper, according to your taste.
Step 3. Heat the oil in a high-bottomed saucepan or wok
Step 4. Bread each piece of peel in the flour
Step 5. Fry for about 8-10 minutes or until the flour is lightly browned
Stir thoroughly and fry for another 4-5 minutes, until the skin is evenly browned.
Step 6. Use a skimmer to remove the peel pieces from the oil, then place them on absorbent paper to absorb the excess oil
Step 7. Serve
Not being watery like pulp, watermelon peel will stay hot longer, so eat it carefully.
Also in this case you can serve the pieces of fried peel using toothpicks for skewers
Advice
- To sprinkle the fried watermelon pieces evenly with powdered sugar, you can use a tea strainer.
- If you can't find a seedless watermelon, you have two choices: eliminate all the seeds by hand or agree to eat them without problems. In this second case, be careful because the seeds inside may still be very hot after cooking.
- Fried watermelon, or fried watermelon peel, can be served with sour cream, a sauce of your choice, or a topping of your choice. In this case, skip the step where you add the sugar.
Warnings
- This is a recipe to be consumed infrequently as it is not very healthy.
- This recipe is not suitable to be enjoyed by the little ones, unless you are absolutely sure that the internal temperature of the fruit allows you to eat it without risk.
