Watermelon
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Watermelon Granita

Watermelon Daiquiri

Watermelon Smoothie 1

Watermelon Smoothie 2

Watermelon is truly one of summertime’s sweetest treats. It is fun to eat, and good for you. Watermelon seeds were brought to this country by African slaves. Today there are more than 100 different varieties of watermelons. The flesh may be red, pink, orange or yellow. There are seedless varieties and super-sweet round ones that fit nicely into the refrigerator.

Once picked, uncut watermelon can be stored for about 2 weeks at room temperature especially if the temperature is about 45 to 50°. Uncut watermelons have a shorter refrigerator life, so store at room temperature until ready to chill and eat. Tightly cover cut pieces in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. 

Watermelon tastes best icy cold in fruit smoothies, slushes or simply eaten from the rind.  Seeded watermelon chunks can be frozen to use in watermelon slushes or fruit smoothies. Watermelon sorbet or granita stays fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. The best way to enjoy watermelon is while they are fresh and sweet. When they are gone, they are gone until next summer.

If you think watermelons are just water, think again.

Watermelon's red color is caused by lycopene, a carotenoid pigment, which researchers believe is a powerful antioxidant and has protective and anti-cancer health benefits.

From www.hollandsentinel.com and www.urbanext.uiuc.edu.

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Watermelon Granita 

5 cups seeded watermelon pulp
1 cup sugar syrup*
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Thin watermelon wedges, cut into strips for a garnish

Puree watermelon in a food processor.

Pour into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Stir in the syrup and lemon juice. Freeze for about 4 hours or until frozen solid.

To serve, scrape up granita with a large spoon and place in goblets, tulip shaped wine glasses or ice cream dishes. Garnish with a narrow wedge of watermelon. Makes 4 servings.

* To make sugar syrup; Combine 1/2 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for one minute. Stirring constantly until all of the sugar has dissolved. Cool in the refrigerator.

From www.urbanext.uiuc.edu.

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Watermelon Daiquiri 

4 cups peeled seeded and cubed watermelons
1/2 cup light rum
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup triple sec
ice cubes.

Freeze watermelon in a shallow pan at least 6 hours.

Combine frozen watermelon, rum, lime juice, and Triple Sec in container of an electric blender; process until smooth, stopping once to scrap down sides. Add enough ice to bring mixture to 5-cup level; process until smooth. Repeat procedure, if necessary, until mixture measures 5 cups.

Serve immediately.

From www.recipezaar.com

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Watermelon Smoothie 1

1 - 8 ounce lemon, fat-free yogurt
3 cups cubed, seeded watermelon
1 pint fresh strawberries, cleaned and hulled
1 tablespoon honey or strawberry jam
3 ice cubes

In a blender or food processor, combine yogurt, watermelon, strawberries, honey and ice cubes.

Process until smooth and frothy. Serve in tall glasses with a straw. Makes 4 servings.

From www.urbanext.uiuc.edu

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Watermelon Smoothie 2

4 cups seeded cold watermelon
1 tablespoon lime juice
sugar to taste

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.  Serve.

From www.recipezaar.com

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