Doesn’t this just look DELICIOUS!

It has been a hot and humid summer so far this year and on some days, grilled watermelon just hits the spot. This watermelon has an intensified sweetness combined with a little smokienes. This blending of summer flavors makes it a splendid treat.

Grilled Watermelon

Ingredients:

1 medium seedless watermelon, ripe but not overly ripe (see below)
Sea salt
Olive oil

Preparation:

Wash the watermelon rind to get rid of dirt, cut the melon lengthwise, and then slice it into traditional tirangular shape 1 1/4-inch thick leaving on rind. For salads, cut into 1 1/4-inch wedges and trim off and discard the rind.

{According to FrenchFood.com, the best way to prepare it is to salt the prepared watermelon and allow it to rest on the 1 1/4-inch cut surfaces on a wire rack with paper towels placed underneath for 20 minutes. Rinse the salt off all the surfaces of the melon pieces and firmly pat them dry with clean paper towels. You can bypass this step and still have it turn out great – best to do if you have time but don’t worry if you don’t.}

Lightly brush the watermelon with the olive oil (EVOO) or avocado oil. Place them on a preheated grill over medium-high heat and cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side, until you see the grill marks.

Once you learn how to grill watermelon, you’ll have endless options.

You can enjoy it as-is right off the grill or make a variety of dishes for a twist on this summer favorite.

Make a fruit salad by adding some other delicious summer fruits like blueberries, mango and pineapple topped with coconut cream and coconut shavings (optional).

Drizzle and little honey and sprinkle coconut for a fun simple dessert.

Combine it with cheese like feta, add some fresh mint, spritz with EVOO, balsamic and a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a little sea salt and cracked pepper.

Enjoy it over top fresh arugula for a salad that is a real treat. Arugula, watermelon, crumbled blue or goat cheese and finish off with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and EVOO, pink sea salt and cracked pepper.

How to tell if your watermelon is ripe

FIRST: That watermelon should have a prominent yellow spot. This is where it sat on the ground to ripen. No spot means it was picked too early and won’t have the sweet flavor we all want in our watermelon.

SECOND: Thump it. If the watermelon sounds hollow, it’s ripe.

THIRD: Look at the color on the top. The watermelon is ripe when there is little contrast between the stripes.

Learn more about how to tell if your fruit and veggies are ripe + fresh at the awesome Farmers Almanac website http://www.almanac.com/content/ripeness-guide#