Redeem mediocre watermelons by turning them into homemade watermelon juice! All you need is cubed fruit, lemon juice, a sweetener, and a blender!
This is a tale of a mediocre watermelon and its eventual redemption. It all started last week, during a trip to Trader Joe’s. They had a bin of watermelon in the entry way and I was entranced. You see, I am one of the people who can eat endless amounts of watermelon and in the height of summer, I often work my way through a couple sizable melons per week (my husband does not partake. He is strictly a cantaloupe man).
I tapped a few melons and lifted a couple possible candidates into the air, hoping to find a good one using both science (hollow sound) and intuition (feel). Hoping for the best, I finally hefted a gorgeously striped watermelon into my cart. Walking home with one bag on my shoulder and the watermelon cozied up in my favorite mesh sack, I was so looking forward to eating a bowl of melon cubes.
I think you know what comes next. The melon I had so carefully chosen was not a winner. It was pale, mealy, and barely sweet. For a moment, I contemplated bagging it up and taking it back to Trader Joe’s for a refund. But then, I realized there was an answer.
The prior weekend, I had spent some time with a friend who had mentioned how much she liked the watermelon juice sold at a local-to-her taco truck. I cubed the watermelon and threw it in the blender with the juice of a lemon (lime would have also been good) and a tablespoon of agave nectar (I had a bottle that was nearly kicked and I wanted to use it up. Honey or even maple syrup would also be good).
The additional acid and sweetness brought the watermelon into balance and it became a truly delightful drink. It kept in the fridge for about 48 hours. It did separate a bit as it sat, but could be brought back together with a quick shake.
I’m not going to offer a specific recipe because every watermelon will be different (and some won’t want any additional sweetness at all). But if you find yourself in possession of a lackluster melon this summer, instead of bemoaning your fate, turn it into juice!
I love watermelon juice! Ever since I had it as a kid in Taiwan, it is one of my favorite summer drinks. It certainly is a great way to turn a less than stellar melon into something refreshing, or to finish up some leftover watermelon.
Sometimes I add a little bit of ice, and the latest thing for me has been to add fresh mint and lime.
When I was expecting my oldest daughter, I craved watermelon. I ate a whole one every day. Luckily, I was expecting in the summer. She was born at the end of August. Almost 50 years ago. Wow. Time flies.
We love to make Agua Fresca with watermelon in the summer…to use up so-so watermelon, like you did, or if we buy a huge one and get tired of it. I risked buying one this week with the plan to make agua fresca for a graduation party this weekend. Great idea!
My favorite way to use mediocre watermelon is in a smoothie. I fill the blender 3/4 full with watermelon then add about 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt, lime juice, ice, a squeeze of honey and then either a bit of ginger or even ginger powder in a pinch. It’s seriously delicious!
I eat watermelon every chance I get but if it’s cubed and sitting in the fridge for long enough to get a little “rubbery” and I’m no longer enjoying it raw, I throw it into smoothies, freeze it for smoothies later, or just blend it up like you have done here and drink a tall pint of it. So refreshing and nutritious. Great idea!
Try picking a watermelon by the yellow spot where it sat on the ground. The brighter/more intense the yellow the riper the melon should be.
Long ago a man I knew from India made me a watermelon milkshake I had never heard of this but I am always interested in different foods. It was cubed watermelon in a blender with about equal parts milk, sugar and rose syrup. Whirred in the blender it was so refreshing and unusual, it was the first time i ever tasted anything rose flavored. Your article reminded me of this and I think I will try to make this soon, I wonder what it would be like if I substituted vanilla ice cream for the milk? Cheers
I freeze watermelon juice into cubes and in the winter months add to a glass of water. Tastes so refreshing as it melts.