Many people have no idea how to choose a watermelon. They just knock on the peel as if they are aware of what they are doing. Although it may seem difficult to tell from the peel how ripe the inside is, there are some tricks you can learn to choose the perfect watermelon. Start with the first step below to discover them.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Watermelon
Step 1. Look for a uniform shape
Look for a watermelon with a hard, symmetrical skin, free from dents, cuts, and indentations. If it has bumps or bumps, it could mean it has received irregular amounts of sun and water as it grows.
Step 2. Lift it up
The watermelon should be heavy for its size, this indicates that it is full of water and, consequently, good and ripe. Try to compare the weight of your watermelon with that of another of the same size: the heavier will be the more mature. This advice applies to most fruits and vegetables.
Step 3. Search for the support area
That is the part the lower part of the watermelon that has a creamy yellow skin. This is the part that is in contact with the ground as the watermelon ripens in the sun, so the darker it is, the better the watermelon will be. If the support area is white, or even non-existent, probably the watermelon was harvested too early and will not be ripe.
Step 4. Examine the color
A perfect, ripe watermelon should be dark green and dull, rather than bright. A watermelon with a shiny skin is usually unripe.
Step 5. Try to hear the sound by knocking with your hand
This technique can be a bit difficult to learn, but many watermelon lovers place total trust in it. Strike the watermelon with the knuckles of your hand firmly and listen to the sound it produces. For a ripe watermelon, you are looking for a full, dull sound. Conversely, a soft, resonant sound is not good, as it indicates that the watermelon is not ripe.
Step 6. Be aware of what to look for even when you are choosing a pre-cut watermelon
If you want to buy a pre-cut watermelon, there are some things to consider. Choose parts that have bright red flesh and black or dark brown seeds. Parts with white veins and many white seeds are to be avoided. You should also avoid parts that have dry or floury pulp, or that have the pulp separated from the seeds.
Part 2 of 3: Storing and Cutting the Watermelon
Step 1. Store the watermelon properly
A whole watermelon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week before being used. Remember to handle it with care to avoid bruising it.
- Never store a watermelon at temperatures below 4.5 ° C as the cold could cause damage to the fruit.
- If you want to ripen the watermelon after you buy it, keep it at room temperature for a couple of days. The watermelon will ripen slightly, but not too much: this is due to the fact that when a watermelon is harvested too early, it will never reach full ripeness.
Step 2. Cut the watermelon
To cut the watermelon into small pieces, first place the watermelon on a cutting board and cut the two ends with a sharp knife.
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Run the blade of the knife along the sides of the watermelon, separating the skin from the pulp. Then cut the watermelon into round slices, and then cut the slices into 2.5 cm cubes.
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If you don't consume it immediately, put it in a closed container and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3 or 4 days.
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Step 3. Remove the seeds from the watermelon
If you want to remove the seeds from the watermelon, just cut the watermelon in half, and then in quarters. Cut the pulp along the seed line with a small knife.
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Now, lift the piece you just cut. Using a fork, remove the seeds from the piece you lifted and the rest of the pulp that is attached to the peel.
Select a Watermelon Step 9Bullet1 - This process is perfect for making watermelon cubes ideal for a snack, for a sauce, for mixing it in cocktails or for any other use.
Part 3 of 3: Using Watermelon in Recipes
Step 1. Prepare a watermelon salad
Watermelon is the ideal ingredient to add to a fresh salad to make your lunch crunchy and juicy. This recipe combines watermelon with cucumbers, cashews and feta together!
Step 2. Make watermelon lemonade
Can you think of anything more refreshing than a frozen glass of watermelon lemonade on a very hot summer day? Use the sweetest watermelon you can find and success is guaranteed!
Step 3. Make the watermelon donuts
Watermelon donuts are not real donuts, they are just slices of watermelon cut into a donut shape. Covered with sugar and almond flakes, they are a delicious snack.
Step 4. Make watermelon vodka
You can make delicious summer cocktails by steeping watermelon chunks in vodka. Serve it with ice and a little juice: it will be a perfect drink for a pink party.
Step 5. Prepare the breaded and fried watermelon
This tasty, but not very healthy delight is often served at village festivals or similar events. Garnish it with icing sugar, it will be an irresistible juicy treat!
Advice
- Check the yellow part of the peel. The more it is extended and well defined, the more the watermelon has been placed on the ground and on the plant to ripen. Ripe = Sweet
- Hit it like it's a drum. It should make a dull sound.
