Now that watermelons are at their peak, it's not hard to find chins and fingers sticky and striped with sweet, red juice

By Deborah Garrison Lowery - photography by Preston Crosby

 

Watermelon Gazpacho

Executive Chef Ken Duenas of Cafe Thirty-A in Seagrove Beach, Florida adds watermelon to this traditional cold tomato soup for a refreshing sweet taste. Serve a small bowl of it as an appetizer at a shrimp boil or other seafood feast.

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Serves 10-15 -- Preparation time: 30 minutes -- Chill time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 6 cups seeded red or yellow watermelon chunks
• 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
• 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
• 2 large tomatoes, seeded and finely diced (about 2 cups)
• 2 large seedless cucumbers, peeled and finely diced (about 2 cups)
• 2 tablespoons champagne or white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons vodka (optional)
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• Jicama-Apple Salad (optional garnish, recipe follows)



jicama-apple salad:

• 1/2 jicama peeled and cut into julienne strips
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped cilantro
• 1/2 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled and finely diced
• 1/4 teaspoon cider vinegar

Combine all ingredients. Use as a garnish on top of servings of Watermelon Gazpacho.

Directions

1 - Place watermelon in container of an electric blender. Top with cover and process until smooth.

2 - Pour puree into a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients, except for garnish, stirring well.

3 - Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. To serve, pour into individual bowls and top with Jicama-Apple garnish. Serve cold.

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Watermelon Gazpacho

 

Watermelon Smoothie

 

Watermelon-Jicama Salsa

 

• bread recipes
• watermelon recipes
• watermelon gazpacho
• watermelon smoothie
• watermelon-jicama salsa

other uses for watermelon

Picked by Deborah Garrison Lowery

Another summer advantage of watermelon is that it can be used to help you entertain in some unexpected ways. Here are just a few ideas:

1 - Grease a watermelon and let the kids play with it to see who can hold onto it the longest before it drops and bursts.

2 - Let some watermelons float in a pond or pool for a great way to keep them cold.

3 - Play "keep away" with a watermelon and a group of friends in your pool.

4 - Cut a watermelon into finger-sized sticks to store in the fridge for an easy snack (Leave some rind on one end for holding the stick).

5 - Slice enough of the bottom from a small watermelon so it will sit flat. Stick meat or fruit kabobs inot the top of the watermelon for a unique buffet serving idea. After the meal, cut and serve the watermelon.

6 - Cut a watermelon in half lengthwise and cut out the fruit, leaving a small amount next to the rind. Slice the bottom to sit flat, then used the carved out watermelon half for a punch bowl.

7 - Carve a melon into a basket and use it as a serving container for a mixed melon salad. (It makes a beautiful centerpiece.)