Watermelon appetizer
Appetizers are miniature dishes designed to awaken the appetite. It can be meat, fish or any other snack. For example, watermelon.
Using a round mold and a teaspoon, make “cups” from the watermelon pulp and fill them with cream cheese (use a pastry syringe or a bag with an embossed nozzle). Top with a slice of fresh cucumber. A bright appetizer is ready to be served.
Watermelon goes surprisingly well with balsamic glaze. Try making this appetizer. To do this, cut the watermelon pulp, peeled from seeds, into cubes measuring 3 × 3 cm. Make a small depression in the center and fill it with balsamic glaze. Serve on a large platter, garnished with mint leaves.
How to cut a melon using special devices
With a very minimal set of tools, you can beautifully cut fruits and vegetables with dense pulp. How to cut a melon using cantaloupe cutters? To do this, “Torpedo” or any other melon, without cutting, is freed from the skin. Next, it is cut in half and the pulp is removed. Each half is again cut lengthwise into 1.5-2 cm slices.
Figures are cut out of these plates using molds.
You can serve the berries beautifully by using a small ice cream scoop. A round melon is more suitable for this. One half of it is freed from seeds, making a depression inside. The second half is completely freed from the skin and pulp and small balls are cut out of the pulp using a spoon. The balls are placed in the recess of the first half of the melon, distributed in a heap on top.
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For a children's party, melon is served in triangles with the skin on. A small cut is made in it and an ice cream stick is placed in it. The presentation will be even more original if the sticks are of different colors.
A beautiful table setting will impress guests and put you in the holiday spirit.
For a children's party, melon is served in triangles with the skin on. A small cut is made in it and an ice cream stick is placed in it. The presentation will be even more original if the sticks are of different colors.
Caprese
To prepare this Italian appetizer, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves are laid out in a circle. And if you replace tomatoes with watermelon, you get a bright flavor combination.
Cut out stars or any other shapes from the watermelon pulp, depending on what shape you have at hand. Place on a plate in layers: watermelons, mozzarella slices and arugula leaves. Drizzle olive oil and lightly salt each pyramid. Top with one slice of watermelon and drizzle the balsamic glaze over the caprese.
Feta cheese salad
There are many options for watermelon salad with soft cheeses. One of them was suggested by Jamie Oliver. Maestro uses Greek feta cheese.
For 4-6 servings you need 180 grams of crumbly feta cheese, 500 grams of watermelon pulp (seedless), one small purple onion, mint leaves and olive oil. Cut the watermelon and cheese into cubes, and the onion into half rings. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, pour in olive oil and season with a little black pepper. Salad ready!
Fruit kebab
We have an infographic teaching you how to grill. Pay attention to the section on vegetables. Fruits are also grilled in a similar way.
Preheat grill on direct heat to medium heat. In a separate bowl, mix honey, a pinch of vanilla, a pinch of salt and lime juice. If the honey is thick, put it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Cut the watermelon and peach into slices and place, alternating, on 10–15 cm wooden skewers. It is recommended to first keep the skewers in water so that they are saturated with moisture and do not burn. Fry the fruit skewers for two minutes on each side. Drizzle with honey-vanilla syrup before serving.
Melon Kolkhoznitsa: what to look for when choosing
Choosing a Kolkhoznitsa melon turns out to be even more difficult than choosing a watermelon. After all, this variety is distinguished by its orange, bright skin, which is captivating.
There are several rules to follow when making your choice:
- It is not recommended to buy Kolkhoznitsa melon near highways and in open tents near the road. This product tends to accumulate gases and road contaminants, which makes it difficult to wash the melon itself, not to mention how it affects the taste. Instead of juice on your lips, sand crunches on your teeth.
- Also, when purchasing, you cannot cut the melon to try it. Likewise, you should not buy fruits that have any damage or are cut. Bacteria enter such a fruit and multiply quickly. It is not safe to eat this fruit.
- The Kolkhoznitsa melon should be absolutely heavy and round in shape like a ball. And to find out what kind of core it will contain, you need to slap the fruit with your palm, a dull sound should be heard.
- The Kolkhoznitsa variety must have a honey, vanilla or pear scent. If the fruit does not emit any aromas, it means that it is not yet ripe, or it has been fertilized with too much nitrogen.
- The Kolkhoznitsa melon finally ripens only in mid-August, so there is no point in going to the market for it earlier.
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When choosing a Kolkhoznitsa melon, you need to run your fingers over it; even a light touch of your finger leaves grooves on the ripe fruit. This fact suggests that the fruit is in its very juice and will definitely not disappoint with its taste. But if there are pits under your fingers, then the fruit is overripe, and those places that are too soft in taste will taste bitter.
Advice! Another clue whether the melon is ripe or not will be the nose of the fruit. If it is hard, like a stone, then the fruit still needs time to ripen. And if the nose, on the contrary, is very soft, then the fruit is overripe.
Choosing melon Torpedo
Melon Torpedo is another popular variety of fruit, which is primarily distinguished by its elongated shape, hence the name. How to choose a sweet melon Torpedo?
Torpedo melon is a late variety, so its ripening occurs in early September. The skin of the fruit is light yellow, covered with rough grooves that form a cobweb-like pattern. It is these rough grooves that will be a clue when choosing a ripe melon: if there are a lot of them on the peel, then the melon will be very tasty. But as for cracks and stains, there shouldn’t be any on the skin; such a melon is of poor quality, not to mention the fact that it may turn out to be tasteless.
Also, it is worth paying attention that even a ripe Torpedo melon will be hard to the touch. Therefore, if the seller is trying to convince you that the melon is soft to the touch and therefore ripe, then he simply wants to sell you a fruit that is already overripe. Also, pay attention to the aroma: a high-quality and ripe fruit will literally smell fragrant. Don't buy Torpedo melon, which doesn't smell at all.
The next point that you need to pay attention to in order to choose a ripe melon is the nose and tail of the fruit. If the tail is dry, it means the fruit is ripe and ready to eat. A melon without a tail indicates the immaturity of the fruit. The nose of a ripe melon is slightly soft, it is located at the opposite end from the tail.
Since it is impossible to check what the pulp looks like in the store, pay attention to the appearance of the fruit and peel, because they contain clues that will help you choose the right fruit.
During plum season, we recommend stocking up on delicious plum jam.
Jelly Bean
What child (and adult) doesn't love gummy bears or other chewy candies? During watermelon season, you can make them yourself.
To do this, you will need two glasses of freshly squeezed watermelon juice, half a glass of lemon juice and six tablespoons of gelatin. If the watermelon is not very sweet, you can also use honey. Dissolve gelatin in half the watermelon juice. Heat the second part of the juice over low heat, without bringing to a boil. Then carefully pour in the juice with dissolved gelatin. Stir until the liquid becomes smooth. Add lemon juice (and honey if you want to sweeten). Stir thoroughly and pour into molds. Silicone ones are perfect - they make it easier to remove frozen candies. When the jelly has cooled to room temperature, place it in the freezer for 30 minutes. After complete hardening, the candies can be simply stored in the cupboard.
Marmalade slices for adults
This dessert will be the king of the party, because it is a drink and a snack at the same time.
Take a 5-7 kg watermelon. Cut it in half. Scoop out the pulp. The crust will serve as a mold for the jelly. Mix 250 grams of red jelly powder and 60 grams of gelatin and dissolve in four glasses of boiling water. Then add vodka or other alcohol to taste to the mixture. Mix thoroughly and pour this liquid over the watermelon halves. Place in the refrigerator for four hours until the jelly is completely set. Then cut up the watermelon and the fun can begin.
Paste
Take the watermelon pulp, remove the seeds and grind it in a blender. Drain off any juice that comes to the surface and drain the pulp through a sieve lined with a paper towel. You will probably have to do this procedure (with a sieve and towels) several times, since you need to get rid of the liquid as much as possible. You should get a thick watermelon puree.
When the goal is achieved, place the puree on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. The layer thickness should be no more than 1.5 cm. Then place the baking sheet in the oven for 6–8 hours. Having taken out the marshmallow and cooled it, cut it with scissors directly with parchment into strips and roll them into rolls. These strips can be used to decorate cakes and, unrolled little by little, are simply eaten.
If you have original ideas for preparing or serving watermelon, share them in the comments.
Each feast in August-September is accompanied by a question: how to beautifully cut watermelon and melon for the festive table, and a photo of a bright and fragrant cutting made with your own hands will capture your ability to adequately end the festive evening. In addition, the unusual presentation of a light and tasty berry and vegetable dessert will earn a storm of applause from guests and family.
Cutting methods in different areas
Although Africa is considered the birthplace of watermelon, it is quite popular in many countries around the world. Each region and corner of the world has its own popular cutting methods. These desserts are perfect for holidays with toasts.
- Mexicans prefer to cut fragrant melons into cubes or neat squares;
Watermelon and melon are popular delicacies in our country. To show off your original serving skills to your guests, you should remember and follow life hacks on how to beautifully cut watermelon and melon for the festive table. Photos with serving recommendations will make preparing the dessert easier. A great dessert to celebrate a man's anniversary!
Watch the video for guidance and interesting serving of watermelon and melon.
Do you know how to serve watermelon correctly?
Almost everyone loves watermelon, but only a few know how to eat it and serve it. Traditionally, watermelon is cut in half and into slices, which are quite large, which makes eating it uncomfortable and can stain your clothes, hair and face.
Often guests refuse a treat precisely because they are afraid of looking uncultured and unaesthetic while eating watermelon. No wonder: juice running down your hands and chin, spitting bones, sweet sticky hands and gnawing on the crust will take away anyone’s appetite.
All this can be avoided by serving watermelon on the table in a “convenient form”: the juice will not flow, your hands will remain clean, and the beautiful presentation will surprise your guests.
There are several ways to do this. The watermelon can be completely peeled and cut, or you can leave it in slices or make a kind of serving dish out of the peel. You can even make original ice cream from watermelon slices!
Video: 3 ways to serve watermelon beautifully
Video: How to cut melon and watermelon in an unusual way
Video: You've never eaten watermelon like this before!
Basket
To do this, leave and decorate to your taste a half of a watermelon, cut lengthwise or crosswise, and the pulp from this half can be turned into convenient balls using a special ice cream scoop.
Video: Cutting a melon
Figures
Using simple shaped cookie cutters, which, by the way, you can make yourself from an ordinary drink can, cut out figures in the watermelon pulp and arrange them beautifully on a plate. This original watermelon will even taste better to eat!
Like ice cream
Take wooden sticks that are inserted into ice cream, cut the watermelon into triangular slices with the peel and insert a stick into the peel of the slice. Comfortable to hold, beautiful and interesting. And if you dip the slice in yogurt before and sprinkle with decorations, for example, coconut flakes or colored sugar powder, the watermelon turns into a separate amazing and tasty dish.
Watermelon sherbet
We take out the pulp, peel it from the seeds, cut it into cubes, and freeze it. When the cubes are well frozen, put them in a blender, add a little grape or any other juice, and beat.
We put the mixture into ice cream molds and stick the sticks in, and put them in a deep freeze. Guests and children will simply be delighted!
Video: Serving watermelon to the table
Take it and eat it
We cut the watermelon in half, use a sharp knife to completely cut off the peel, cut into rectangular strips and serve in a beautiful transparent dish with mint leaves or other decorations; you can insert several skewers for easy handling.
Slice with a twist
The art of cutting can be traditional, complex or original. There are many recommendations and advice on this matter. You just have to start from who the sweets are intended for - children should cut them smaller, into interesting shapes, and where the feast will take place - outdoors you need to cut them so that eating is as comfortable and convenient as possible. This cut is perfect for celebrating Teacher's Day.
Quick and popular types of cutting watermelon and melon
- Cross cutting is used for watermelon. The berry is cut crosswise and the pulp is eaten out with a spoon;
Watermelons and melons - the freshness of summer
Watermelons and melons: ruby health and Russian banana!
Everyone's favorite watermelon and melon appear on the table in August. Juicy and sweet watermelon usually pampers gourmands without adding an ounce of weight, and the fragrant melon will not leave anyone indifferent.
A little history and facts
It’s hard to believe that melons are of African origin, because they have long and confidently entered the diet of Europeans and Asians. According to the chronicles, even the Egyptians loved striped fruits. And now the Chinese have become the most avid watermelon growers, collecting millions of tons of them. In addition to standard green striped watermelons, rich green, white, and even yellow rind colors are also known. The Japanese, by the way, when growing, place the fruits in boxes so that when ripe they take the shape of a cube - this makes it convenient to transport. There are watermelons that look like both rugby balls and zucchini.
Melon is an Asian guest. Those who have tried melons grown in Uzbekistan say that the aroma and
their sweetness has no equal. It is not without reason that many travelers note the smells of an oriental bazaar when passing by piles of golden-greenish melons. By the way, the most expensive is the Japanese variety of melons grown in the city of Yubari: the mesh pattern on the skin of the fruit is similar to the painting of an antique vase, and the price of one piece can be above 8 thousand dollars.
Food as medicine
The watermelon diet is ideal for those who suffer from both obesity and anemia. Thanks to the perfectly balanced composition of biologically complete water, microelements and vitamins, melons are useful for everyone to consume. They eliminate excess cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, remove harmful substances from the body and help treat blood vessels and joints, liver and kidneys. Melon should be in the diet of those who suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system, anemia and dystrophy. Due to the large amount of folic acid, expectant mothers should definitely eat melon - this will allow the fetus to develop normally.
It is believed that watermelon contains a lot of folic acid and iron, so it should also be given to pregnant, nursing mothers and children with anemia. This is an excellent natural remedy for flushing out harmful substances from the body (pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, liver and gallbladder diseases), normalizing the intestines, and even for diseases of the endocrine system. A little-known fact is that watermelon contains a natural antioxidant, lycopene, which has an antitumor effect. Melon has a similar set of beneficial properties. Experts also say that melon contains substances that give beauty - smoothness and elasticity of the skin, shine to the eyes and hair.
Watermelon and melon can be given even to small children from 6 months. It should be remembered that the safest part for a child is the core of the fruit. If you give a slice to your child, you need to step back from the crust by 2 - 3 cm, cutting off the pulp. All the seeds are selected from the watermelon for the baby; after 5 years, this need not be done. Early and late watermelons are likely to contain significant amounts of nitrates, which are especially dangerous for children (for them a dose 10 times less than for adults will be lethal), so it is better not to eat them.
Both nutritionists of Hollywood stars and doctors recommend a watermelon-melon diet for weight loss. At the same time, breakfast, lunch and dinner consist of watermelon, and melon is used as a second breakfast and afternoon snack. Even if you eat 5 kg of watermelon and melon per day, the total energy value of the diet will not exceed 1500 - 1900 kcal.
Choosing delicious watermelons and melons
To choose a delicious watermelon, remember a few rules. So, if there is a large yellow spot on the side of the watermelon, when tapped or squeezed it slightly cracks or resonates, and the tail with which it was attached to the melon is dry, then this indicates the ripeness of the fruit. If the already cut fruit has a sugary surface, it will be very sweet. Watermelons that are too large - weighing 8 - 10 kg or more - were most likely grown on nitrogen-containing mixtures, so it is better not to purchase such ones. The melon should be fragrant, fragrant, and the tip of the fruit (at the former attachment point of the flower) should be soft. An overripe melon has a soft entire skin surface; it is better not to purchase it.
Watermelon and melon should be purchased whole, without damage, since dangerous microflora quickly penetrates through cracks. As for the advice to cut a watermelon, this is debatable. Some advise not to check it due to the questionable sanitary cleanliness of the knife and the fruit itself, while others still try to evaluate the ripeness of the watermelon in this way. Watermelons and melons should be stored in a dry, ventilated area at a temperature of +5-8 0C.
Let's diversify the usual menu
Although melon and watermelon are good on their own, served for dessert, there are many dishes that are prepared based on them. Usually in the family circle there is no ceremony with melons and watermelons - they are eaten directly with their hands. But at a formal banquet they wield a fork and knife, cutting off pieces.
Cooks love to prepare various dishes from watermelon and melon. The simplest recipe is to puree the mixture in a blender, and then add lime or lemon, mineral water and a little sugar or honey (for those who like low-alcohol cocktails, you can add rum to the watermelon juice). Melon wrapped in a slice of basturma has a very piquant taste (adzhika will add a special note). And you can add green peas and ham cubes to the melon puree - you get a kind of soup.
Watermelon is also included in desserts with soft cheeses such as feta, salty feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, meat products, lemon, pine nuts and even olives. The pulp cut into balls is used to decorate fish and meat, sherbets, sweets and ice cream. Candied fruits are made from watermelon rinds.
Watermelon can be used as a container for serving a cup, after removing the pulp. As a vitamin-refreshing cocktail, you should use melon juice with a little fresh cream added. This cocktail is suitable for both children and adults. Charenton dessert (of French origin) is made by adding a little grape cognac to peeled melon. At home, you can replace alcohol with regular ice cream. By the way, you can also make liqueurs and liqueurs with an original taste from melon.
And the melon itself is dried, jam is made from it (both from the pulp and even from the peel), adding lemon and other fruits, including citrus fruits. As preparations for the winter, we can recommend pickling melons and fermenting watermelons in barrels. If there are no barrels, they can also be sealed in regular jars, cut into slices.
In the East, melon is often served between courses: for example, after lamb, pork and other fatty dishes. But cooks often combine melon with nuts and honey, cream and prunes, and sometimes even with fish and ham or chicken (see recipe for a delicious salad here). Melon salads can be combined with blackberries, feta cheese, apricots, avocados and oranges.
Watermelons can be eaten not only raw, as part of salads with pickled cheeses, but also baked, grilled, or in a frying pan (watermelon sugar caramelizes when heated, forming a crust). Watermelon goes well with mango, strawberries, walnuts, and other berries (as in this watermelon salad) to create a refreshing dessert. If you puree it with peach and lime, raspberries, blueberries and other berries, you will get either an original soup or a delicious and unusual dessert.
Therefore, you can please yourself and your loved ones with various delicacies from watermelons and melons, not only in their usual form, but also as part of desserts, salads, purees, soups, even fried and baked!
Holiday cutting ideas
Watermelon and melon are suitable options for demonstrating personal design abilities and creative nature. They can be served in many ways.
- Balls. This can be done quickly and efficiently with an ice cream scoop or noisette - it will allow you to cut out perfect small balls from the pulp. Mixed melon and watermelon balls will look beautiful and bright in a transparent bowl or wine glass. You can also use an empty watermelon rind as a stand for them. You can put not only these two desserts there, but also other fruits: sliced apples, pears, grapes. Decorate the composition in the shape of a ship with sails, and your guests will be absolutely delighted;
These are a kind of skillful canapés that will refresh you in the sultry summer. You can freeze them, then top the frozen dessert with condensed milk, honey, and glaze. Also read other dish options that are suitable for any holiday.
It will be convenient for guests to enjoy dessert if the watermelon or melon is cut lengthwise into two parts. Then divide each part lengthwise again. Using a sharp knife, separate the pulp from the peel and leave it on the “green plate”. We cut the pulp crosswise. For beauty and effect, alternately push the pieces in different directions. Alternating pieces of watermelon and melon will look colorful.
General tips and tricks
And a few more subtleties on how to choose the right melon, which are common to all varieties:
- The ripeness of a melon can be easily determined by its smell. Sweet and ripe melon has a subtle, pleasant aroma. If the melon does not smell, or its smell is green, then it is better not to take such a melon;
- The sound of the fruit is also important. If you slap a melon and it makes a dull sound, it means the fruit is ripe. Many people mistakenly believe that the sound should be sonorous, but this rule applies only to watermelon, and not to melon;
- The peel of a ripe fruit should be firm, but not soft. When you press on it, it should create the impression of springing back. If traces of pressure remain on the fruit, it means that it is overripe and not suitable for eating;
- The color of the fruit, regardless of the variety, should be uniform. There should be no stains, no transitions from light to dark shades on it, because all these are signs of a low-quality product.
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Careful and careful selection of melon in a store or at the market will guarantee that your money will not be wasted, and the melon will be simply to lick your fingers. Take the time to examine the fruit, because this is a guarantee of quality, no matter what the sellers try to sell you, always be guided by your knowledge of how to choose the right melon.
There are several rules to follow when making your choice:
