A taste of summer! Refreshing for the skin and the tastebuds. Eat it on its own with other fruit.
Origin
Watermelon’s origins are in the Tropical area of Africa, 5000 years ago and it was very appreciated by Egyptians as many hieroglyphic and myths show: apparently watermelon was born from the god Seth and they were placed in graves to accompany dead people in the afterlife. Arabs introduced this fruit in Europe after the XII century, inspiring artists such as Caravaggio and Matisse. Watermelon is available from June till September with two main varieties: Crimson Sweet (Longer shape) and Sugar Baby (round and small). The cultivation is spread in Turkey, Brazil, USA and China and it is produced in Italy too, in Emilia Romagna and Lazio.
Cookit
Do you know how to choose it? The rind must be smooth, the watermelon heavy and knock: if the sound is clear, then it’s good! Watermelon is full of thirst-quenching and hydrating properties, ideal to accompany dishes like roasts, fish and salads. In the US, the rind is candied and the white part used to give a fresh taste to curry or chutney. In Asia, watermelon seeds are often toasted and sautéed, to be eaten as a snack.
Did you know
There is also a squared watermelon, and the inventor is the Italian farmer Franco Feroldi from Casalmaggiore. This type was created to facilitate transportation and there are also triangular ones! They became very popular in Japan and a farmer form Tsukigata sold 16 of them for 400 euros!
