No matter how you slice it (or season it), watermelon is summer’s most perfect fruit. It’s hydrating during the hottest season of the year and it’s full of needed vitamins and minerals. Plus, it’s just plain delicious!
Some of our fondest memories are of sitting outside on a balmy summer evening devouring ice-cold slices of homegrown watermelon. The mouthwatering scent of fresh watermelon still evokes those memories, whether we’re eating it around the table, at our desk, or at an outdoor festival. Watermelon is more than just a succulent summer fruit though; it’s chock full of nutrients and vitamins. And since it’s grown all over Arkansas, local melons abound. We strolled down to the Little Rock Farmers’ Market to check out the local melon scene.
Here’s what we found.
• Rumor has it that Cave City produces the sweetest watermelons in the state. See for yourself! Visit Mike Whitney, also at the Little Rock Farmers’ Market, and try out one of his Cave City watermelons.
• Watermelons are 92% water.
• In 1990, Bill Carson of Arrington, Tenn., grew the largest watermelon at 262 pounds that is still on the record books.
It’s Good For You
• Low in fat and calories: Watermelon is naturally low in saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol. Two cups of diced watermelon contains 80 calories and 0g of fat and saturated fat.
• Lycopene: According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, watermelons are the “Lycopene Leader” in fresh produce, having higher concentrations of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene is an antioxidant that has been shown to help guard against cancer-causing free radicals.
• Heart health: According to a 2007 study by the United States Department of Agriculture, watermelon consumption increases free arginine and citruline, which can help maintain the arteries and blood flow.
• Vitamin A: Found in watermelon, this vitamin is important for optimal eye health.
• Vitamin C: Helps support immune system defenses against infections and viruses, as well as free radical damage.
• Potassium: A two-cup serving of watermelon has 10 percent of the daily reference value for potassium, a mineral necessary for water balance in the cells.
Receipe Without Rind
Watermelon, toasted jalapeno and shrimp pico de gallo
(courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board, Watermelon.org)
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced seeded jalapeno
3 tablespoons minced fresh shallot
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Juice from 3 fresh limes
2 cups minced watermelon
2 cups chopped, cooked and cooled,
peeled and deveined shrimp
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup diced roasted red pepper
Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
Heat the oil in a heavy non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Sauté the jalapeno, shallots, and garlic until golden and toasted around the edges. Remove from heat and add soy sauce and cumin. Cool. Scrape the cooled ingredients into a bowl and toss with lime juice, watermelon, shrimp, parsley and roasted pepper. Season with pepper to taste. Serve with chips and margaritas, fish tacos or atop grilled salmon. Serves 6 to 8.
Melon Camps
Watermelon festivals in the city, or just a short drive away
31st annual Cave City Watermelon Festival
This festival, in the city that claims to have the “sweetest watermelons,” offers free entry.
Thursday, August 12-Saturday, August 14
City Park, 1033 N. Main, Cave City
Charles Landers, (870) 283-5959, CaveCityArkansas.info
Hope Watermelon Festival
Thursday, August 12-Saturday, August 14
Fair Park, Hope
Mark Keith, (870) 777-3640; HopeMelonFest.com, HopeMelonFest@yahoo.com
Whole Foods Watermelon Fest
A free event, featuring ice-cold watermelon slices and more.
11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, July 3
Whole Foods Market,
10700 N. Rodney Parham
312-2326, WholeFoodsMarket.com