Spicy Watermelon and Lemon

August is Watermelon Month, and here is a recipe for a simple watermelon appetizer.

Ingredients:
4 cups seedless watermelon, cut into bite-sized cubes
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
A handful of fresh mint leaves, torn into small pieces
Crumbled feta cheese (also optional)

Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine the watermelon cubes.  In a small bowl, stir together lemon juice, zest, and honey. Drizzle the dressing over the watermelon and toss gently. For added zing, sprinkle chili powder over the top. We prefer the no-zing variety, but we do like the mint leaves.  Add crumbled feta if you like.  Serve in chilled dishes.  We like this with grilled shrimp.

About Watermelon
Apparently, watermelon is more than just a pretty fruit.  It is full of nutritional goodness that combines hydration, vitamins, and antioxidants.  One of its most celebrated virtues is its huge water content—over 90% of it is water, making it one of the most hydrating fruits available. So, it is not only refreshing, but it is also good for maintaining healthy body temperature and aiding circulation. On hot days, a bowl of watermelon can act as both snack and thirst-quencher, naturally putting back fluids without the need for sugary drinks.

Despite its sweetness, watermelon is surprisingly low in calories—only about 46 calories per cup. This makes it ideal for those looking to satisfy a sweet tooth without blowing their diet. Each serving delivers a gentle bounty of vitamins and minerals, most notably: vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium.

Even its seeds (though we usually throw them out) are nutritional gems. Roasted watermelon seeds are rich in iron, zinc, and plant-based protein.  Most importantly, however, watermelon is especially rich in lycopene.  This is a powerful antioxidant that gives the fruit its red color and has been linked to reduced risks of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases. While lycopene is often associated with tomatoes, when fully ripe, watermelon actually has higher amounts per serving.  In addition, watermelon also has anti-inflammatory properties.

With its high fiber and water content, watermelon also contributes to digestion. Its natural sugars are paired with fiber, so this helps to avoid the dramatic blood sugar spikes that you might get from refined sweets.

But how do you tell if a watermelon is ripe?  There are a number of possible options, including looking for a lighter patch on one side that shows where the melon rested in the field.  My father always took a broom straw with him when he went to buy a watermelon.  He said that if you lay the straw crosswise on the melon, it will let you know if the fruit is ripe.  If the straw turns, the melon is ripe; if it doesn’t, the melon is still green.  Now, this might not work for everyone, but my family has used it to good effect.  Probably the best way to get a ripe watermelon, however, is to buy a fruit that is already cut, so you can see if it is red inside.  Well, whatever.