Southern Breeze 2007 Summer Issue - (Page 69) story by DEBORAH GARRISON LOWERY photography by hen my husband was growing up in South Georgia he loved helping his farmer uncle load watermelons onto a truck to take to market. He once confessed to me, with a sheepish grin, that the best part of this job was when a big, fat watermelon would “accidentally” fall off the truck and burst. Then my husband and his cousin would eagerly eat out the juicy red melon heart and toss the rest of it back in the field, knowing all the while that Uncle Bernice was turning a blind eye to the antics to allow the boys a treat. W PRESTON CROSBY Deborah Garrison Lowery is a freelance journalist in Birmingham, AL, whose family is addicted to watermelon. And a treat it is to dig into a drippy, juicy watermelon this time of year, whether it’s yellow or red-fleshed, seedless, or traditionally speckled with black seeds ideal for spitting contests. Thanks to the prolific Florida watermelon crop, our Gulf Coast region has no shortage of this sweet, summertime refresher, which many agree is best scooped right from the shell. Even better, it doesn’t go bad quickly like many types of summer produce. An uncut watermelon stored at 50 to 60 degrees will keep 3 weeks or longer. 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. (They’ll know what to do with it then!) 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-size sticks to store in the fridge for an easy snack. (Leave some rind on one end for holding the stick.) 5 Carve a watermelon into equal size wedges (leaving the rind for something to hold onto) and have a watermelon eating contest at your next family reunion. 6 Save the seeds and hold a seed-spitting contest to see who can sail one the farthest. 7 Slice enough of the bottom from a small watermelon so it will sit flat. Stick meat or fruit kabobs into the top of the watermelon for a unique buffet serving idea. After the meal, cut and serve the watermelon. 8 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 use the carved out watermelon half for a punch bowl. 9 Carve a melon into a basket and use it as a serving container for a mixed melon salad. (It makes a beautiful centerpiece.) Summer 2007 69
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