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Summer treat
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Chill out with watermelon smoothie
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Photo: M. Karunakaran
SLICE OF DELIGHT Watermelon
Watermelon is a tender, warm-season vegetable. It can be grown in all parts of the country, but the warmer temperatures and longer growing season of the southern areas especially favour this vegetable. 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.
Most watermelons have dark brown or black seeds. The seedless variety produces a few white seeds. 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 them at room temperature until ready to chill and eat.
Health benefits
Watermelon is low in calories and nutritious. It is high in lycopene, second only to tomatoes. Recent research suggests that lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, is effective in preventing some forms of cancer and cardiovascular disease. It is also high in Vitamin C and Vitamin A, in the form of disease fighting beta-carotene. Potassium is also available, which is believed to help control blood pressure and possibly prevent strokes.
Preparation and serving
The flavour of watermelon is best enjoyed raw. Heating diminishes the flavour and softens the texture. Watermelon tastes best icy cold in fruit smoothies, slushes or simply eaten from the rind.
To make melon balls, cut the watermelon in half lengthwise then into quarters. Watermelon balls can be scooped right out of rind. Create perfect balls, using a melon baller, and a twist of the wrist. The watermelon shell can be used to hold the melon balls as well as other fruit. Watermelon punch is also served from the hallow rind. By sitting the round end inside a ring or bowl, the shell will remain stable during serving.
To remove seeds, cut each quarter in half again. With the flesh of each wedge on top and the rind sitting on the counter, look for the row of seeds along the flesh of each wedge. Using a sharp knife, cut along the seed line and remove the flesh just above it. Scrape the seeds from the remaining piece.
Home preservation
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 difference between a sorbet and a granita is in the texture. Sorbets are smooth, whereas granitas are coarse. You do not need an ice cream maker to make granita. Now, for a recipe.
Watermelon Smoothie
Ingredients
Lemon, fat-free yoghurt: 1-8 ounces
Cubed, seeded watermelon: 3 cups
Fresh strawberries: 1 pint (cleaned and hulled)
Honey or Strawberry jam: 1 tbsp
Ice cubes: 3
Method: In a blender or food processor, combine yoghurt, watermelon, strawberries, honey and ice cubes.
Process until smooth and frothy. Serve in tall glasses with a straw. Makes 4 servings.
RISHI MANUCHA
SOUS CHEF, TAJ CONNEMARA
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Puducherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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