Watermelon

Water melon:

           Water melons are low in calories but rich in vitamin A, B and C, juicy and nutritious. Water melon contains lycopene which helps boost the immune system. They have best antioxidants and good for cardiovascular diseases, colon cancer and diabetes. They contain no fat or cholesterol, they fill you up fast because it contains 92% water content, after eating 3-4 slices you feel filled and won’t be carving for more carbohydrates. Water melon can be used with barbeque and prevent you from overeating.

         Choose water melon which is symmetrical and firm, free from cuts and bruises, yellow area on watermelon surface indicates that water melon was on the ground while ripening under the sun and is sweet and juicy,slap it and if it sounds hollow then it is ripened.

 Water melon (citrullus lanatus), belongs to cucurbitaceae family. Butter nut, pumpkin, sweet melon, cucumber are some of the members of the same family.

Watermelon lemonade recipe

Ingredients

1(12-pound) watermelon (preferably seedless).

4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup sugar

16 cups ice cubes  

Garnish:

Fresh mint leaves and lemon slices

Preparation

Cut watermelon flesh into 3-inch pieces; remove seeds if there is any.

Make puree of water melon flesh in a blender with lemon juice, sugar, ice cubes and salt as per taste. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl and discard solids. Serve over ice.

If juice extracted many hours before, drink will separate in layers, re-blend before serving.