Last Updated on July 16, 2022 by Chef Mireille
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What to Do with Leftover Watermelon, How to store watermelon and a variety of 15 Easy Watermelon Recipes using the rind, pith and flesh.
Try this collection of both sweet and savory Watermelon Recipes to utilize all of your watermelon, practicing no waste!
For a long time, I used to think watermelon was only good for eating as is. A favorite summertime treat from childhood were slices of refreshing, juicy watermelon. I then discovered Watermelon Juice and that is so refreshing on hot summer days.
However, in recent years, I have discovered watermelon is such a versatile ingredient and can be used in so many ways. It can be utilized in both savory and sweet recipes.
Not only the flesh, but both the rind and the skin can be used in a variety of sweet and savory recipes.
But before we even get to utilizing the watermelon, it is important to know How to Pick the Perfect Watermelon Every Time.
Talking about picking watermelon, another thing to make any of these 15 Watermelon Recipes more interesting is to use different colored watermelons. It adds variety to any of these delicious Watermelon Recipes.
Types of Watermelon
Red Watermelons – There are several different varieties of red watermelons, however the two most common ones are large heirloom watermelons and sugar baby watermelons. The Sugar Baby are usually about half the size of a standard heirloom watermelon and they are seedless.
Yellow Watermelons – These have the same green skin as a red watermelon, but the flesh is a bright yellow hue.
Although yellow watermelons are relatively new in the west, they were actually first cultivated in Africa over 5000 years ago. It was only after a plant nutrient called lycophene developed that the hue of the watermelon naturally changed from yellow to red.
While the presence of lycophene in red watermelons improves it’s anti oxidant power, the yellow watermelons are very high in beta carotene. Either one, they are both a healthy fruit to enjoy.
Green Watermelons – These watermelons are exceedingly rare and the green hue is because of the presence of chlorophyll. This is one I am excited to try if I ever find one. If you try it, do come back and let me know if there was any difference in taste.
Storing Leftover Watermelon
Once you cut open a watermelon, it does not last very long, even when left on the skin.
If you cut it up into pieces and remove skin and rind, it will deteriorate even faster. Water comes out of the fruit and as the chunks of fruit sit in this excess liquid, the fruit will start to turn rancid.
If you do have some cut up and stored in the fridge, you should drain out the excess liquid every morning and it should last up to 3 days.
More than than, it will end up in the garbage and none of us wants to waste food right!
Therefore, when you purchase watermelon, I suggest immediately trying a few of these recipes and save just enough for snacking.
BONUS RECIPE : You can use the methodology in this Pineapple Strawberry Agua Fresca and make Watermelon Agua Fresca.
15 Easy Watermelon Recipes
Try one of these Delicious Watermelon Recipes the next time you are wondering what to do with leftover watermelon.
Savory Watermelon Recipes
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Don’t forget to visit the RECIPE INDEX with over 1000 recipes from around the world including lots of Vegetarian Recipes and Gluten Free Recipes!
Mir!! This is delicious and definitely useful Thanks for including mine
Never would have thought if so many ways to use up watermelon. Thanks for including my post in the round up!!
Yes – poor watermelon. It is a lot more versatile than people give it credit for.
Awesome collection of watermelon recipes all in one place. Mireille, still have to try out the watermelon curry ever since I first saw it on your blog and now adding the Watermelon Sangria Popsicles to the list. Like your suggestion to use up the watermelon as soon as possible as you rightly pointed out, it doesn’t stay fresh for too long. Thanks for including my recipes.
Yes the watermelon curry is such an out of the ordinary recipe, but so delicious. You definitely should check it out!