Alright, we know many of you must be scoffing at the title. You must be thinking just how hard could it be to cut up a watermelon? The answer to this is: yes, it can be hard to cut a melon. Not many can get those perfectly cut even-sized slices of watermelon. And forget about getting watermelon cubes! But if you just learn a bit of technique and get a bit of practice, you forever say goodbye to pre-cut watermelon from Walmart! And we are here to help you become the master of cutting up a watermelon!
Jump to:
- What does a perfect Watermelon look like?
- Does tapping watermelon help?
- I want a juicy Watermelon. How to know which one is juicy?
- Cutting them with rind
- Cutting them without the rind
- Storing your Watermelon
- So what are the best ways to store your watermelon in such a way that you can enjoy them fresh always?
- Some important tips to make your watermelon cutting easier
But first, before you get to the cutting part, we need to pay attention to the watermelon part. So let's answer some important questions when it comes to what watermelon is perfect to go on the chopping board!
What does a perfect Watermelon look like?
Look for a Watermelon that is not shiny, as they are often overripe. It should also be without any lumps of apparent bugs.
Does tapping watermelon help?
Yes! Tapping a watermelon tells you if it's ripe enough or not. A ripe watermelon should sound hollow.
I want a juicy Watermelon. How to know which one is juicy?
A juicy Watermelon would be heavy in your hand. Just lift your Watermelon up and see how heavy it feels. More the better!
So now that we have helped you pick out the perfect Watermelon for your beach day or a picnic, it's now time to get to the cutting part. So wash and dry off your Watermelon because we are getting started on the most important part! And we'll go over it step by step, just to make sure that you get it right on the first try itself!
You can cut a watermelon in two ways. Either with the rind or without. We'll tell you how to do it both ways so that you will be able to enjoy both ways of eating your watermelon! Also, don't forget to use a serrated knife for the cutting as it works best on fruits that have a hard exterior but a soft interior! Like your watermelon!
Cutting them with rind
The best way to eat watermelon with the rind on is to cut them into wedges! This way they'll be comfortable to hold and small enough to handle!
- To do wedges, cut off the top and bottom of the watermelon. This will make sure the watermelon can stand upright when you slice it down in the middle.
- You'll now end up with two halves of the watermelon. Cut these halves into half. You'll end up with four pieces in total.
- Now all you have to do is take each quarter and slice them into two inches thick slices! And there you go, your wedges are ready to be served!
Cutting them without the rind
Alright, this is a more tricky way to cut a watermelon, as it involves the extra effort of removing the rind, that is the outer hard covering of a watermelon. But don't worry, we'll make it so easy for you that you will have your watermelon no other way! Not to also mention, but this is also the most efficient way to use watermelon in any salad or drinks you'd want!
- Take your watermelon and slice it down from the middle until you have two equal halves. Remember to keep the top and bottom on!
- Next, position your knife to an angle that will cut the rind but leave the pink flesh of the watermelon behind. Remember, you want to cut deep enough to remove the rind and the white layer, but leave the pink part of the watermelon, as that's what you will be eating.
- After you are done peeling away the rind, take your bare watermelon half and slice it into three half circles. Repeat this with the other watermelon half as well!
- Now you can easily cut these circles into sticks, and then into cubes! And voilà, your watermelon cubes are ready to be used in any recipe or just eaten as they are!
Does cutting watermelon into cubes seem too hard and time-consuming for you?
Then don't worry because we have a solution to this as well! Just cut your watermelon into two equal halves and use a watermelon baller to cut out easy and small watermelon balls!
These Watermelon balls will go especially great on any fruit salad or drink! If you want to buy a Watermelon baller then they are also easily available on any online store like Amazon! Try my Watermelon Iced Tea recipe.
Storing your Watermelon
Watermelons are probably the biggest fruit in the market, so it's probable that you will not be able to finish it by yourself unless you're cutting up a watermelon for a party.
Either way, it's important to know how to store leftover watermelon. And no, you cannot place it directly in the fridge. That will leave the exposed flesh of the watermelon to get all wrinkly and dried, and just not appetizing to look at or eat.
So what are the best ways to store your watermelon in such a way that you can enjoy them fresh always?
1. If you are planning to store a whole watermelon that still has its rind on all sides, then we suggest storing it at simple room temperature instead of freezing it. The rind will do a good job of keeping it preserved up to 2 weeks!
2. If you want to store watermelon that is without any rind, like let's say watermelon cubes, then you absolutely cannot leave them out. Without its hard exterior, watermelon is very vulnerable to getting spoiled. So just place your watermelon cubes (or balls) in an airtight box/container and keep it in the fridge. Make sure to finish it within four days because they will not last any longer than that!
Some important tips to make your watermelon cutting easier
1. Use a sharp knife. A serrated knife works the best as your watermelon is hard on the outside thanks to its rind, and soft on the inside. If you want to be even more professional in cutting your watermelon, then nothing beats a chef's knife!
2. Watermelon is a big fruit. So that requires a big enough space to cut it. And having a solid and firm surface that can keep this roundish fruit upright also helps in making straight and clean cuts. We, therefore, suggest getting a chopping board that's big enough for any watermelon!
3. No one likes a Watermelon that is warm or at room temperature. So just before cutting it up and serving it, keep the whole watermelon in your fridge for four hours. Or at least two hours to get it sufficiently chilled, depending on the size of the watermelon. This way you can serve it cold and fresh for any watermelon event!
Watermelons are the most refreshing fruit you can have on a hot summer day, or really any other hard day. There's nothing better than coming back home to a plate of chilled watermelon cubes.
We hope that we have made watermelon cutting easier for you with our guide and tips! Why buy pre-cut watermelon when you can get the best product with just a little bit of work and effort?
And don't forget, this way you can also make the best of all the nutrients a watermelon has for you! So cut your watermelon today and stay healthy and fresh!
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