Who doesn’t love the joy of fresh summer fruit? So much great seasonal produce is available in grocery stores and farmers’ markets, but what do you do with leftover watermelon?
But how does a one-person household consume a whole watermelon in the time that it stays good in the fridge? Read on for 10 ideas on what to do with watermelon when you have too much on hand.
Watermelon, Feta, and Mint Salad
This may be the most classic way to enjoy watermelon. But fear not – not everything on this post is a variation of fruit salad.
Mix 3 parts watermelon, 2 parts feta, and 1 part mint leaves, mix, sprinkle with some lime juice, and enjoy. Want to get fancy? Add finely chopped red onion or chives for a little more punch.
Watermelon Caprese Salad
Watermelon is so crisp and fresh that it can take a fair amount of other flavours to create a well-balanced salad. To take this salad up a notch, try a flavoured balsamic reduction.
Get the recipe on recipegirl.com
Watermelon, Cucumber, Basil Salad
This is a great, easy salad to whip up for a dinner party appetizer, to bring to a barbeque, or to eat alongside a carb for a weeknight meal. Simple to prepare, and you probably have all the ingredients in your fridge already.
Watermelon Sorbet
Need an easy way to keep your leftover watermelon in great shape for a few more days? Don’t just freeze it; make sorbet! You can keep it classic by blending your watermelon with a little lemon or lime juice, or you can add mint syrup or fir syrup for some complexity.
Then, spread it into a loaf pan or freezer-safe container, cover it, and allow it to freeze until solid (at least a few hours).
Watermelon Steaks
Last summer, in vegetarian circles, it was going around that watermelon makes a great vegetarian replacement for tuna. I don’t really remember eating tuna, but it definitely was an interesting way to eat watermelon.
Bear in mind that this watermelon recipe is not as easy as the rest on this list. It takes drying, marinating, and a barbeque (but you can use an oven if that’s all you have).
I used this recipe but also grilled it on the bbq.
BBQed Watermelon and Halloumi Skewers
A quick and easy side to use a ton of watermelon and get some fruit on your dinner or lunch plate.
Watermelon Gazpacho
Soup lovers rejoice – because summer doesn’t mean the end of soups. There are many great gazpacho recipes – but it’s always a refreshing way to add a lot of fruit and veggies to a meal. Always blend well, and strain through a sieve if you want an extra-silky texture.
Watermelon Margaritas
I love a good margarita. This versatile drink can take on so many different flavours depending on the occasion. Got a lot of watermelon almost past its prime? Blend it up and mix it with lime juice, tequila, and little salt for a great summer cocktail.
Have extra watermelon on hand on a weekday and don’t feel like drinking right yet? Pour it into icecube trays and freeze it until you”re ready to use.
Watermelon Froze
A different way to add a little grown-up fun to your watermelon treat – mix it with a white or rose wine and freeze it for a good snack in the park or by the pool. The watermelon is already sweet, so I recommend you choose something on the dryer side.
Don’t be afraid to mix in some fresh herbs from the garden, either.
Watermelon Coconut Smoothie
Looking for a little tropical-inspired snack to enjoy poolside? A Watermelon Coconut smoothie is a creamy, hydrating, and low-effort hot weather treat. Again, this is a great way to use up watermelon if you can’t consume it right away. Just blend and put into ice cube trays. After they are well frozen, store them in reusable freezer bags and keep them in the freezer for a few months.
No matter what you end up doing, finding ways to use up produce is always better for the environment and your wallet. Let me know what your favourite ways to use leftover produce are in the comments below!
