10 Delicious Ways to Eat Watermelon

Watermelon is not only a refreshing way to satisfy a sweet tooth, but it’s also incredibly nutritious. This summer fruit is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which are important for skin, hair and eye health. Watermelon is also naturally low in carbohydrates and free of cholesterol, fat and sodium, making it a great choice for heart-healthy diets. And since it’s made up of 92% water, eating this fruit will help you stay hydrated in the hot summer months.

If you buy a whole watermelon, you’ll have loads of fruit to enjoy. But there’s no need to just rely on slicing it up to snack on. There are many interesting ways to incorporate watermelon into recipes. Toss it into a summer salad, make a sweet and spicy salsa, turn it into a beautiful dessert or add it to savory dishes – the sky is the limit when it comes to enjoying this seasonal favorite.

Here are 10 flavorful ways to eat watermelon:

1. Pizza – Slice a large round of watermelon and cover it with your favorite toppings, such as blueberries, bananas, shaved coconut and fresh mint. Cut the round into “pie” slices for eating.
2. Salsa – Make a fresh summer salsa by chopping up watermelon and mixing it with summer favorites like cucumber, onion, corn and jalapeno pepper.
3. Sandwiches – Add sliced watermelon to a sandwich with cheddar cheese and arugula. It also goes well with roast beef.
4. Salads – Make a summery sweet version of a Caprese salad by arranging sliced watermelon, mozzarella and arugula on a plate and garnish with fresh basil or mint and balsamic vinegar. Or top a bowl of quinoa with watermelon cubes, red pepper, olive oil and crumbled feta.
5. Punch – Purée watermelon in the blender and mix with seltzer, unsweetened tea, lemon or lime juice, mint and a little honey. Watch this video for tips on how to use the hollowed-out watermelon as a punch bowl.
6. Healthy Dessert – Grill slices of watermelon for a few seconds on each side to enhance sweetness by caramelizing the fruit’s natural sugars. This makes a great dessert on its own or paired with other fruit or a drizzle of dark chocolate.
7. Fun Snacks – Chop fruit into thin slices, similar to French fries, or cube watermelon and serve on skewers. Pair with a dip made from Greek yogurt.
8. Jerky – Cut watermelon into 8-inch strips about a half-inch thick and place in a dehydrator or in the oven at the lowest setting for 8-12 hours. The jerky can be stored for a month at room temperature or up to a year in the freezer.
9. Flavor Cubes – Purée watermelon in the blender, then pour the mixture into ice cube trays. Freeze overnight and drop the cubes into a glass of water or seltzer to add flavor. You can also add popsicle sticks to the tray before freezing to make mini ice pops.
10. Pickled Rinds – Believe it or not, you can eat watermelon rinds as a tangy snack! Prepare a brine and broil the watermelon rind for 5 to 10 minutes until it’s fork tender. Store in the fridge in an airtight glass jar.

With so many options, it’s hard to know which recipe to try first! Just know that however you eat your watermelon, it’s giving you a healthy boost of nutrition.