5 Ways to Use Juicy Watermelon This Summer

Watermelon is one of those fruits that are synonymous with summer. Health wise, it’s a good choice to indulge in this sweet, juicy fruit. Watermelon contains a host of vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants such as Vitamin C and beta carotene. Get your hands on this summer fruit and check out these five ways to use juicy watermelon this summer:

1. Chill Out and Make Easy, Breezy Gazpacho

Summertime is perfect season to eat fresh, cold soup, and watermelon is a perfect base for gazpacho. In this Watermelon Gazpacho recipe, you’ll use Serrano, cucumber, shallots, garlic, sherry vinegar, cumin, and a few other ingredients for a very flavorful soup. You can even make it pretty spicy depending on whether or not you remove the seeds from the Serrano (keeping them in makes the soup spicier). Also, try blending watermelon into your own gazpacho recipe for a new spin on the classic, cold tomato soup.

2. Bake With the Seeds

Usually, when we eat watermelon slices, we spit the seeds right out. But even the “waste” product of a watermelon can be used, so when you’re chopping up the fruit, be sure to save the seeds. You can actually bake with them! Roasted watermelon seeds have a nutty taste, and they are the perfect compliment to bananas. Try these Banana Watermelon Seed Muffins. From the outside, those little black dots look like chocolate chips, so when you’re serving these to friends and family, they will be in for a delicious and nutritious surprise.

3. Freeze Popsicles

Chop up some watermelon into cubes, throw them in the blender, and give it a whir. Strain this pulp to remove the seeds and leftover pulp until you have a nice, even juice. Then, freeze that juice in ice trays or popsicle containers, and bam, you’ve got a super easy, simple, and healthy popsicle. Who needs to buy popsicles with added sugar when you can eat nutritious, frozen fruit that’s in-season?

4. Blend a Smoothie or Drink

If you’re a daily smoothie lover, try switching up your routine by putting some watermelon into that blender. A great smoothie option is this Raw Vegan Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie (the recipe is located in the first video). You’ll have to first blend the watermelon, then strain it. Pour the juice back in the blender to add with your frozen fruit and other ingredients. Also, try this Watermelon Rose Drink.

5. Throw Cubes Over Leafy Greens

A different way to enjoy your leafy greens is to pair it with watermelon. Use your imagination, think about varying textures, and combine watermelon, leafy greens with something crunchy that you have on hand, like almonds or walnuts. The juicy yet crisp burst of the watermelon adds a nice textural balance to salads. Try adding watermelon to this Spicy Sweet Potato Salad, and check out our salad recipe section for more ideas.

Lead image source: Banana Watermelon Seed Muffins