Download Watermelon - Marsh Supermarkets

Watermelon
FROM MARY SNELL
DIRECTOR OF NUTRITION AND WELLNESS,
MARSH SUPERMARKETS
We love summer for many reasons: picnics, beach getaways, longer
days, or just enjoying a juicy watermelon slice on a sweltering afternoon.
People can’t seem to get enough of this sweet treat. Aside from its
refreshing flavor and succulent texture, watermelon is rich in vitamin
C, as well as vitamin A, which helps the immune system and keeps
skin healthy. Its red color comes from the phytochemical lycopene, an
important antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of cancer and other
diseases. And since watermelon consists mostly of 92% water and 8%
sugar, one cup of watermelon chunks has only 50 calories.
There are more than 50 varieties of watermelon. Most have red flesh,
but there are orange and yellow fleshed varieties too. The seedless
varieties are very popular, consistently outselling its seeded peers by a
significant margin.
When selecting a melon, look for a firm, evenly shaped fruit that is free
of cracks, bruises, soft spots or mold, and heavy for its size. A ripe
watermelon will have a healthy sheen, a dull rind, dried stem, and a
buttery yellow underside where it touched the ground.
Since watermelons are grown in dirt and frequently handled, they can
easily harbor bacteria on the rind. Even though they may look clean
always rinse your melon before cutting so you don’t transfer bacteria to
the inside when cutting.
EASY SUMMERTIME
MELON SALSA
INGREDIENTS
¼ cup lime juice
1 T honey
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp salt
3 cups diced, seeded watermelon
(use any ripe melon or combination of melons)
2 T chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
DIRECTIONS
Mix together the lime juice, honey, black pepper
and salt. Add the watermelon, cilantro and
jalapeno pepper. Toss gently to combine; cover
and chill until ready to serve.