All About Watermelons

As the pulp of the wild watermelon has a very bitter taste they first were gathered just for their nutritious seeds. Around 2,000 BC the first watermelons were cultivated in the area of ancient Egypt and western Asia and it was spread very fast across central Asia and India until it finally reached China as well as southern Russia. First just cultivated in hot and dry, tropical regions and in the area around the Mediterranean Sea the watermelon is cultivated nowadays in subtropic regions as well. Especially in Australia and Madagascar you can also find imbruted watermelons nowadays.

The edible part of the watermelon consists mostly of water, 95.8%. Further content is 0.2% protein, 0.2% fat, 3.3% carbohydrates and 0.3% mineral nutrients as well as vitamin A and C.

Cause of the huge amount of water the watermelon is mostly eaten as refreshing and adipsous fruit. In dry regions in africa the watermelon was for hundreds of years an important resource for water.

Especially in summer watermelon, served on crushed ice, is still enjoyed for its refreshing effect. In Cyprus people are eating watermelons in summer together with halloumi. The juicy slices of the watermelon are quite refreshing while the slices of halloumi make a delicious taste.

This is an easy to make but very tasty variant of a salad using watermelons. Especially in summer it is very refreshing. And best of all, it is very fast to prepare.

Ingredients for the salad
1 small watermelon, cut into cubes
6 fresh figs, cut into quarters
2 bunches fresh arugula
200 grams feta

Ingredients for the dressing
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup lemon juice
1 - 2 Tbsp. honey
Fresh black pepper and sea salt to season

Preparation

1. Whisk the dressing ingredients and put aside
2. Put the arugula on separate salad plates, then top with the quarters of the figs and cubes of the watermelon. Crumble bits of feta cheese over each salad, then sprinkle a little dressing over each. Serve immediately.

Watermelons don't just titillate someones palate, they also can be very pleasant for the eye. Especially when someone with a skillful hand and a small, very sharp pointed knife, turned an ordinary watermelon into a bouquet of flowers or an oversized rose. And sometimes you find the watermelon even as the container for salads while the green rind is partially cut away to make beautiful patterns in form of flowers.

Not just watermelon, but also other fruits and vegetables are suitable for carvings. Look at these amazing pumpkin carvings or learn how to do pumpkin carving yourself.