Watermelons

Q:Can you give advice on how to pick and choose watermelons?

A:
Watermelons are one of summer's supreme pleasures: refreshing, good for you and fun to eat. Although there are many theories for selecting a ripe watermelon, the following tips are agreed upon by most experts:

• When you turn the melon over, the light-colored patch on the bottom should be a creamy color, not white or light green
• Watermelons should be heavy for their size — after all, it's 92% water
• The rind should be slightly dull
• Whole melons will keep for 7 to 10 days at room temperature and once a melon is cut, it can be refrigerated for about one week, wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container. Melons do not ripen or become sweeter once they are picked.
• Wash watermelons in soapy water to make sure all the dirt and any edible wax is washed away.

- Food Network Kitchens

Recipes:

• Frozen Watermelon Margaritas
• Watermelon and Cantaloupe Salad with Mint and Basil Vinaigrette
• Watermelon Ice Cubes