Lifesaving, Refreshing Watermelon

Recipe for Watermelon-Feta Salad and Nutty News

Jul 20, 2008 Jacqueline Church

Like its close relative the cucumber, watermelons are a warm-weather treat. But a lifesaver? Maybe - at the dinner table.

An Indiana woman and her two granddaughters were hit by stray bullets in a drive-by shooting. Only a bible and a watermelon saved their lives. According to MSNBC she believes “The word of God and the Lord’s power saved us. He sent the bullet into the watermelon.” One granddaughter was holding a watermelon in her lap which eventually stopped the bullet. “Right in the watermelon. Didn’t come out of the watermelon,” Thompson said. (No word on why God sent another bullet right into the stomach of the other granddaughter.)

A Lycopene Leader - Yes. A Lifesaver? Maybe.

Now, about lycopene. Lycopene is the nutrient everyone including the Mayo Clinic is talking about. Here are just a few ways this nutrient supports health: reduced incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and macular degeneration. Even if you haven't heard of it, Heinz and other tomato product companies have been touting the benefits of lycopene in tomatoes on every bottle of catsup, can of juice and jar of sauce. Vitamin and supplement makers are on the lycopene bandwagon, too.

Watermelon contains higher concentrations of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. In fact, fresh watermelon contains higher levels of lycopene than fresh tomatoes - a 2-cup serving of watermelon contains and average of 18.16 mg and one medium-sized tomato contains 4 mg.

One study indicated that the lycopene content when stored at room temperature increased as much as 40 percent in some types. Once you cut into the watermelon, however, you must store it under refrigeration (thanks to reader Joseph Hayes for the watermelon tip!)

Picking a good watermelon is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Look, lift,turn.

Look - firm, symmetrical, free of cuts, bruises.
Lift - heavy for its size - 80-90% water so it should feel heavy.
Turn- a creamy yellow spot on the underside indicates it was ripened in the sun.

A Densuke watermelon from the island of Hokkaido in Japan recently sold for $6,000 US.
Dating back to India, Africa and the Middle East, cucumbers and melons both have sustained people for eons.
Mark Twain said watermelons are one of life’s luxuries and speculated that they must be food of the angels. He added we know it wasn’t watermelon Eve ate, because she repented.
The world record for watermelon seed spitting is held by Jack Dietz of Chicago, who launched a seed a distance of 66 feet 11 inches in March 1989.

Watermelon-Feta Salad

This salad is a summer lifesaver. Quick and easy to make, it's fresh and filling.

Half one medium sized seedless watermelon.
Good Feta cheese (buy a block or large-ish chunks)
Mint
Red onion
Lime juice
Fresh ground black pepper

Slice thinly about 1/3 cup red onion.
Marinate in juice of one lime.
Cut half a medium seedless watermelon in chunks.
Crumble feta into similar sized chunks.
Toss with onion, lime mixture.
Add chopped fresh mint.
Season fairly heavily with fresh ground pepper.

Feta Facts:

Feta is named for the large blocks or slices (fetes) that the cheese is cut into.
Feta is made in numerous countries around the world.
It can be made from sheep’s, goat’s or cow’s milk. The choice of milk and length of aging helps determine how mild or tangy feta is.
Feta is stored in whey brine, giving it a pickled effect. The flavor can range from mild to tangy and texture can be dry and crumbly or dense and creamy.
It can contain from 45-60% milk fat.

To learn where artisans are making the freshest feta around, (as well as to other types of artisan cheeses) see this terrific site: Cheese by Hand.

Don't forget the dessert: Try watermelon ball macerated in liqueuer like St Germain, or how about a tantalizing fresh granita?

The copyright of the article Lifesaving, Refreshing Watermelon in Gourmet Food is owned by Jacqueline Church. Permission to republish Lifesaving, Refreshing Watermelon in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Watermelon