You know it’s summertime when the grocery stores are stocked with the whole watermelon! Watermelon truly is the perfect summer snack. It is juicy, refreshing, and perfectly crisp. Our family just can’t get enough! Cutting a watermelon, however, can seem daunting. We’re here to walk you through it step by step, and it is so much easier than you think! You’ll never have to buy pre-cut watermelon again! Know In this article we see Summer Snack Tricks, how to cut a watermelon.
HOW TO PICK A RIPE WATERMELON:
There are a few ways to tell if a watermelon is ripe:
- If you hold it against your belly and give it a pat, you should feel a good thump against your belly.
- The webbing should be larger. Smaller and tighter webbing means it was picked too soon and will not be as sweet.
- The underside spot where the watermelon sat on the ground should be large and yellow or gold, not small or white.
- It should smell slightly sweet.
- It should feel heavy for its size.
- Rounder is better than elongated.
How to cut a watermelon into Triangles with Rind
- Start by cutting about 1-inch slices off of both ends of the watermelon. Try to cut as evenly as possible.
- Stand the watermelon on one of the blunt ends and cut the watermelon in half length-wise, top to bottom.
- Cut the halves into halves so now you have 4 quarters.
- Lay one of the quarters, rind side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the watermelon slices to the thickness you desire.
- Repeat with the remaining quarters.
How to cut a watermelon into Rindless cubes
- Start off by cutting both ends of the watermelon off to make blunt ends, about an inch worth.
- Stand the watermelon upright and using a long, sharp knife, carve down all the sides of the watermelon rind only cutting off the skin, about an inch deep. Repeat all the way
- around the watermelon until all that is left is the pink watermelon flesh.
- Once all of the rinds are carved off, cut the watermelon into half and then into quarters.
- You can cut it into smaller cubes or longer watermelon sticks at this point.
How To Cut a Watermelon Into Sticks
To begin, you’ll want to select the right watermelon. Watermelon should feel heavy for its size. Pick up a few of similar size; the heaviest of the bunch will be the ripest. Also, look for ones that are free of dents or bruises and are symmetrical in shape.
- You’ll need a cutting board and a large chef’s knife. Before cutting it, wash the outside of the watermelon and then place it on your cutting board.
- Carefully cut the watermelon in half. (Depending upon the size, this may take some muscle.)
- Place one of the halves flat-side down on the cutting board. Cut the half into slices about 1-inch thick.
- Discard the two end pieces as they will be mostly rind.
- Carefully, rotate the watermelon 90 degrees and, again, cut slices about 1-inch thick.
- This will create a criss-cross pattern. Repeat this process with the other watermelon half.
- Pull the pieces apart and you’ve got watermelon sticks! They’re great for a pretty fruit platter or to skewer for a fun, fruity snack.
- Enjoy!
NOTES
If you don’t plan on eating all the watermelon, only cube what you are going to eat and leave the larger pieces uncut so that they do not lose their juices as easily.
Freezer Instructions For Cutting Watermelon:
Place your cubed watermelon in a single layer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer. Once frozen, remove the cubed watermelon and place it into a ziplock bag before then returning back to the freezer. Cut watermelon stored in the freezer should last for up to 3 months.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious watermelon recipes:
- Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint and Lemon
- Watermelon Avocado and Cucumber Salad
- Watermelon Lemonade
- Cilantro Lime Grilled Watermelon
- Keywest Cooler Mocktail
- Watermelon Slushy
