Gardening: January 21, 2025. Pre-Springs

 

August 3, National Watermelon Day - Food Safety, Nutrition, and Recipes

The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) is a non-profit organization formed in 1989 by watermelon growers and shippers. Their goal is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research, and educational programs. The NWPB has developed marketing programs to boost watermelon sales in supermarkets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their site contains recipes, nutrition facts, fun games for children, lessons for educators, and information for health professionals and the media.

Watermelon and Food Safety
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before cutting watermelons.

2. Wash the outer surface of the melon with clean running water and dry to remove any dirt. If you purchase a pre-cut piece of watermelon, you should rinse the rind portion in fresh water and dry it.

3. Wash cutting boards, countertops, scoops, knives, and other equipment or utensils with hot water and soap to avoid cross-contamination.

4. If you refrigerate the watermelon after purchasing, be sure to keep the watermelon cool.

5. Always refrigerate watermelon once you have cut into it. Place in a covered container or cover the cut surface with plastic wrap to prevent the melon from becoming mushy.

Nutrition Facts about Watermelon

Watermelon is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, contains no Trans Fatty Acid, no Cholesterol, very low in sodium, and has only 46 calories in One Cup. Watermelon contains lycopene, an antioxidant which may reduce the risk of cancer.

Watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. It is a great way to get additional fluids.

Creating Snacks or a 
Light Meal using Watermelon

Watermelon Circles with Feta Cheese and Lentil Salad

Fun with Fruit

Watermelon and Feta Cheese Salad

Selecting a Watermelon

How to Grow Watermelons

Carving Watermelon 

National Daiquiri Day - Frozen Watermelon Strawberry Daiquiri

Frozen Watermelon Strawberry Daiquiri 

Yields: 4 servings
Serving Size: 8 ounces

Ingredients.
3 cups frozen watermelon chunks
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup rum (can be omitted or reduced to taste)
Juice of 1 lime
3 tablespoons agave syrup
Ice if needed
Watermelon wedges for decoration

Directions.
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender, process until smooth. If you like your cocktails thick and slushy, add ice to get the right consistency. If you prefer your cocktail less slushy, skip the ice.

2. Garnish with watermelon wedges and enjoy!


Nutrition Profile:
Yields: 4 servings (with Rum)
Serving Size: 8 ounces
Calories (kcal) 162
Protein (g) 1
Carbohydrates (g) 24
Total Dietary Fiber (g) 1
Total Sugars (g) 20
Added Sugar (g) 11
Fat (g) 0
Saturated Fat (g) 0
Cholesterol (mg) 0
Potassium (mg) 196
Sodium (mg) 2


Nutrition Profile:
Yields: 4 servings (without Rum)
Serving Size: 8 ounces
Calories (kcal) 96
Protein (g) 1
Carbohydrates (g) 24
Total Dietary Fiber (g) 1
Total Sugars (g) 20
Added Sugar (g) 11
Fat (g) 0
Saturated Fat (g) 0
Cholesterol (mg) 0
Potassium (mg) 196
Sodium (mg) 2

Nutrient Analysis Services
Ensure accurate nutritional analysis for your recipes utilizing an extensive research database and over 30 years experience. A valuable service for the Recipe Blogger, Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, and Recipe Websites. Your readers will benefit from the Nutrition information and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Contact: Dietitians-Online.com; Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, LN, FAND  at recipenews@gmail.com

Watermelon Wonderland: Fun Creations for all ages

Watermelon Wonderland: Fun Creations for all ages. 

The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) is a non-profit organization formed in 1989 by watermelon growers and shippers. Their goal is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research, and educational programs. The NWPB has developed marketing programs to boost watermelon sales in supermarkets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their site contains recipes, nutrition facts, fun games for children, lessons for educators, and information for health professionals and the media.

Watermelon and Food Safety

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before cutting watermelons.

2. Wash the outer surface of the melon with clean running water and dry to remove any dirt. If you purchase a pre-cut piece of watermelon, you should rinse the rind portion in fresh water and dry it.

3. Wash cutting boards, countertops, scoops, knives, and other equipment or utensils with hot water and soap to avoid cross-contamination.

4. If you refrigerate the watermelon after purchasing, be sure to keep the watermelon cool.
5. Always refrigerate watermelon once you have cut into it. Place in a covered container or cover the cut surface with plastic wrap to prevent the melon from becoming mushy.

Nutrition Facts about Watermelon

Watermelon is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, contains no Trans Fatty Acid, no Cholesterol, very low in sodium, and has only 46 calories in One Cup. Watermelon contains lycopene, an antioxidant which may reduce the risk of cancer.

Watermelon contains about 6% sugar and 92% water by weight. It is a great way to get additional fluids.

Creating Snacks or a

Light Meal using Watermelon

Shrimp Cocktail Watermelon

Watermelon Fruit Cup

Watermelon Stuffed Sushi

Watermelon Stuffed Chicken Salad
with Crackers, Raspberries & Mango

Watermelon Stuffed Tabouli with Goat Cheese

Watermelon Stuffed Granola with Seasonal Fruit

Watermelon Circles with Feta Cheese and Lentil Salad

Fun with Fruit

Watermelon and Feta Cheese Salad

Selecting a Watermelon

How to Grow Watermelons

Carving Watermelon
 

Watermelon Pizza

A refreshing fruit dessert made with watermelon. Topped with yogurt, your favorite berries, and mint. 

Watermelon Pizza

Ingredients

½ cup low-fat plain yogurt

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

6 Watermelon wedges (about 1 inch thick), cut from the center of the melon

1/2 cup raspberries

1/2 cup blueberries

1 tablespoon torn fresh mint leaves

Directions
1. Combine yogurt and vanilla in a small bowl.
2. Spread 1/4 cup yogurt mixture over each slice of watermelon. Cut each slice into 6 wedges. Top with raspberry, blueberries, and mint.