How to Slice a Watermelon?

Nothing like sinking into a large bowl of cool, juicy watermelon as the weather starts to heat up. I’ve developed an easy and fool-proof method for breaking down whole watermelons into perfectly cubed, bite-sized pieces, whether I’m getting ready to host a backyard BBQ or want to prep fresh fruit ahead of time for my boys to grab during the week.

You’ll never slice a watermelon in an old-fashioned manner again after learning my simple approach for breaking it down. Breaking the watermelon into little cubes allows you to feed more people with the same fruit and makes it easier to consume, and keeps the watermelon from pouring down your face.

Aside from fruits and vegetables being eaten out of hand, sliced watermelon is one of the most accessible and delicious snacks. Unfortunately, watermelons are too enormous and have peels too thick to chew, so we’ll have to break them up first. The methods below will show you how to do it quickly and safely – the round edges might make cutting more complex than other foods!

Hold the watermelon steady with one hand on a chopping board or another hard work surface. Cut off either end of the watermelon with a hefty, sharp knife, removing just enough peel to reveal the watermelon’s lovely flesh underneath. Cutting these flat ends makes future cuts far safer and more accessible. It is safer because it creates flat sides, which keep the watermelon motionless during cutting. It’s easier to see where the watermelon rind finishes and the fruit begins and gauge how big to cut the slices.

Cutting is more superficial with a sharp knife (obvious!). You’ll be less likely to slip and injure yourself because you won’t have to move the knife to make it cut! Sharp knives are safe knives, which may seem paradoxical. If you have a heavy knife, it will assist cut through the thick watermelon and make these significant initial cuts simpler.

3. Cut the Watermelon in Half

Stand the watermelon on one of the cuts ends — it should stand steady.

Use that sharp (preferably heavy) knife to cut the watermelon half lengthwise.

Place each watermelon half on its broad cut side. To make more manageable watermelon slices, cut each half in half lengthwise, or even quarters, for more enormous watermelons. Cut the halved melon into thick or thin slices according to your preference.

Serve the watermelon slices right away, or chill them until you’re ready to eat them. If you wish to prepare them ahead of time, they will keep well overnight. Putting them in the fridge for a few hours adds to the nice cold we all seek on those hot summer days when watermelons are at their peak.

Here are a Few Ideas for Melon Slices:

Sprinkle with chili powder after spritzing with lime juice.
On a sweet melon, salt and pepper are delightful.
Serve alongside a cheese or charcuterie buffet to counteract the saltiness of the cheese and meat.
A drizzle of honey or agave syrup can be used to sweeten unripe melon.
Instead of the more commonplace lime wedges, serve melon slices sprinkled with salt alongside tequila shots for a more entertaining and fulfilling way to take a shot.
Place a melon slice next to a sorbet dish.

How Long does Cut Watermelon Last?

According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, the good news is that watermelons have a lengthy shelf life: three to four weeks from the time they’re picked off the vine. A whole watermelon is typically best stored at or below room temperature on your kitchen counter, and your diced watermelon will last three to five days in this case. You may also freeze watermelon if you want to keep it for a longer time (10 months). To increase the shelf life of chopped watermelon, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or chill it in a closed container or resealable plastic bag.

Watermelons can be kept on the counter for 7-10 days and in the fridge for 2-3 weeks; chopped watermelons are also listed on our table. Watermelon’s shelf life is determined by when it was picked and how it was preserved. The rind and seeds of a watermelon, which is actually a vegetable but is commonly mistaken for a fruit, are entirely edible. Watermelon is almost always present at any picnic. Its sweet, juicy red flesh is high in Vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene, beneficial to the heart and bones. Because it is made up of 90% water and 8% natural sugar, it has no fat and is very low in calories.

How to Store Cut Watermelon?

The shelf life of cut watermelon is much shorter than that of the whole watermelon, and it keeps its freshness for 3 to 5 days when kept refrigerated. It only lasts about a day if left out at room temperature, which isn’t a viable alternative.

You don’t want the watermelon to dry out in the fridge when you’re preserving it. It would be best if you protected it in some way to achieve this. Plastic wrap is the most popular choice, especially if the portion is half or quarter. An airtight container or freezer bag will suffice if the fruit has been cut or divided into smaller pieces. Plastic wrap is also the least environmentally friendly option.

How to Freeze Watermelon?

You may be tempted to freeze the remaining watermelon if the mentioned shelf life is insufficient for your needs. The fruit contains around 91% water (2) and does not freeze well.

Many people propose freezing it in cubes and using it to infuse water, drinks, or smoothies instead of ice cubes. The fruit is not defrosted in any of them. Throw it in frozen. The texture is ruined by defrosting, so you won’t enjoy it as much as you would fresh watermelon.
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper or aluminum foil before baking.
Cut the meat into cubes and lay it on the cookie sheet you’ve prepared.
Please place it in the freezer for several hours or overnight, depending on how quickly the cubes freeze.
Set the cubes in a freezer bag or an airtight container and place them in the freezer.
You can scoop up as many cubes as you need whenever you need them, and they don’t take up as much space as they would on a baking sheet.

What are the Benefits of Watermelon?

Here are the Benefits Of Watermelon

Cancer Prevention

According to experts, watermelon lycopene reduces cancer risk by blocking insulin (IGF), a protein essential in cell formation. IGF levels that are too high are thought to cause cancer. In addition, the ability of cucurbitacin E in watermelon to inhibit tumor formation has been investigated.

Cardiovascular Health Improvement

Lycopene, found in watermelon, can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, two factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease. Citrulline, an amino acid found in watermelon, helps the body produce more nitric oxide. Nitric oxide boosts blood flow and decreases blood pressure. Vitamins A, B6, C, magnesium, and potassium, all good for the heart, are also found in watermelon.

Helping You Lose Weight

Watermelon includes citrulline, which prevents excessive weight gain and obesity by lowering fat formation in cells. Watermelon juice has a low-calorie count but a high fiber content. As a result, drinking a glass of wine before a meal can help reduce hunger and improve weight loss.

Enhancing Skin and Hair

Vitamins A and C in watermelon aid the body’s production of collagen, which keeps skin and hair healthy. UV rays, sunburn, and skin cancer are all things that lycopene and beta-carotene can aid.

Conclusion

After a while, watermelon will go rotten like any other fruit. The shelf life of a watermelon is ultimately influenced by how it was stored before purchase and how you would store it after you get it home. At the same time, some of us purchase whole watermelons, and most purchase diced watermelons. Watermelon comes in quarters, half, and wholes at most major supermarket chains.

If you buy half or a quarter of watermelon from the refrigerated section of the supermarket, put it back in the fridge as soon as you get home. Only leave watermelon on the counter if it will be consumed within a few hours. It can be kept in the refrigerator for five days without going bad if placed in an airtight container or entirely wrapped in cling wrap. If you bought more watermelon than you or your family can consume in a week, you could freeze the remainder. Any leftovers should be cut into cubes and stored in the freezer. Cut watermelon can be frozen and kept for up to a year.

How to Slice a Watermelon?