[title subtitle=”words and images Family Features”][/title]
There’s no time like a hot summer picnic to let your patriotic spirit show. These all-American snacks featuring the classic favorite fruit – watermelon – are the perfect solution for any summertime celebration. Watermelon is sweet, cool and refreshing, making it a favorite for all ages. It’s portable, versatile, and a great value – just one watermelon can feed up to three dozen people! Find more ideas for incorporating watermelon into your summer festivities at watermelon.org.
Watermelon Infused Water
ingredients
2 cups watermelon balls or cubes
1 cup other fruit, such as berries or honeydew
Herbs, such as basil or mint
method
Place watermelon, fruit and herbs in pitcher and cover with water. For best flavor, allow to chill in refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving.
Red, White and Blue Watermelon Parfait
ingredients
1 cup blueberries
1 container (6 ounces) Greek yogurt (vanilla, lemon or coconut)
1 cup watermelon, plus more for garnish
Whipped cream, for serving
method
In a glass, layer blueberries, yogurt and 1 cup watermelon. Top with whipped cream and garnish with diced watermelon pieces. Note: To make ahead or make thicker, strain Greek yogurt with cheese cloth or thick paper towels to absorb some liquid.
Patriotic Fruit Salad
ingredients
1 watermelon
Honeydew
Blueberries
method
Slice 1-inch off bottom of watermelon, lengthwise, to create stable base. Use pencil to draw zig-zag lines for basket opening. Using paring knife, make cuts through rind. Carefully remove top section, pull out large chunks of flesh and cut them into 3-by-3-inch squares. Trim 1-inch thick slices off squares to use for cutting out stars with 1-inch to 3-inch, star-shaped cookie cutters. Use ice cream scoop to remove flesh from inside basket and cut scoops into quarters for fruit salad. Place in bottom of basket. Add honeydew and blueberries; stir to combine. Cut out white stripes from honeydew. Garnish top of fruit salad with watermelon stars, honeydew stripes and blueberries.
Patriotic Charcuterie Board
ingredients
medium seedless watermelon, cut into wedges
1 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1 /12 cups fresh blueberries
10 strawberries (dipped in white chocolate, if desired)
5 ounces fresh goat cheese
cup toasted, salted cashews
2 ounces cured meats (prosciutto, pancetta, salami, soppressata, sausage, pepperoni)
1 Honeycrisp apple, cored and sliced
Lemon juice
Fresh basil leaves
method
On large board or platter, arrange watermelon, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cheese, cashews, meat and apples. Drizzle fruit with lemon juice. Garnish with basil leaves before serving.
Flag Kebab Cake
ingredients
1 pt. fresh, washed blackberries
12 wooden skewers
1 seedless watermelon, flesh cut into 1-inch cubes
1 angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes (white part only)
Dips, such as yogurt, chocolate, caramel or marshmallow (optional)
method
Thread five blackberries on each of five skewers, followed by alternating watermelon and cake cubes. On remaining skewers, alternate watermelon and cake so first and last cubes are watermelon. Place skewers on platter; fruit and cake will create stars and stripes when lined properly. Serve with dips, if desired.
