Watermelon

A member of the gourd family like the squash and the pumpkin, watermelon was being consumed as early as 2400 B.C., according to Egyptian hieroglyphics.

How To Choose A Watermelon (It's Not By Sex)

Inspect the watermelon to make sure it is firm, symmetrical, and free from bruises and cuts.

Lift it up to verify that it is heavy for its size.

Size and shape can differ greatly in watermelons based on rainfall/irrigation, nutritional status, weather and pollination success. Poor or incomplete pollination can cause misshapen fruit to develop. But contrary to what some people claim, size does not reflect flavor or sweetness. A large watermelon can be just as sweet as a small one.

Turn the watermelon over. There should be a creamy yellow spot on one side from where it sat on the ground to ripen.

Forget choosing by sex, because there are no male fruits. A watermelon develops from the fertilization of ovules in a female flower. Watermelon plants produce separate male and female flowers. Pollen from the male flowers is conveyed, usually by honey bees, to the female flowers. After pollination, fertilization of each ovule occurs and the former female flower develops into a fruit.

Is Watermelon Nutritious?

Watermelon is 92 percent water and it is high in lycopene, an antioxidant that may prevent some types of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The deep orange or red flesh of the watermelon is high in vitamin C and rich in vitamin A. Vitamin A keeps the eyes healthy, while vitamin C aids with faster healing.

Watermelon is also a good source of vitamin B6, which helps boost the immune system, maintain regular nerve function, and produce red blood cells. It also contains potassium, a mineral that assists with blood pressure regulation.

To top it off, watermelon is low in calories. There are about 92 calories in two-thirds of a cup.

In addition to these benefits, it is one of the fruits with the least amount of pesticide residues, according to the Environmental Working Group.

How To Harvest Watermelon

Depending on the variety and source, watermelons are available all year but they peak in the late summer and early fall.

Watermelon is best when picked ripe, as it does not continue to ripen after harvest. A good sign of my ripeness is a clean break between the fruit and stem, rather than just a cut in the stem.

With age, the gourd will create more internal liquid as the pectic substances in its cell walls get more soluble.

How To Prepare Watermelon

Wash your hands. Then, wash the watermelon in running water, rinse it well, and pat it dry. Cut it into one inch chunks, after removing the rind.

How To Store Watermelon

Store cut watermelon in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to three or four days.

Uncut watermelon should be stored at room temperature until ready to eat. If the fruit is stored properly, uncut watermelon should last about two weeks.

Sources:
Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist