Recipe: Easy Watermelon Carving Tips

EASY WATERMELON CARVING TIPS
Following these tips will make carving easier, safer and give you more professional results.

Have the whole watermelon at room temperature when you carve. The cuts will be easier to make when the watermelon is not cold. You can chill the watermelon in the refrigerator after cutting and before serving.

Cut a small, thin, fl at piece from the bottom of the watermelon before carving. This will make a flat base, making the watermelon more stable when carving.

Draw the design on the watermelon rind with a fine/medium point waterproof marker or a sharp pencil before you cut.

After you've drawn the design on the rind, insert toothpicks in key places to use as guides for your cuts.

Use a sharp knife with a pointed tip - the sharper the knife, the easier and cleaner the cuts will be. Be careful!

Consider using a channel knife for certain cuts and to hollow out larger areas.

For better grip and to help protect your hands, use a fresh, new thick pair of gardening gloves with gripper palms.

Choose a fl at working surface on a solid base.

For more detailed designs, draw a template first on a sheet of white paper with a marker or pencil. When finished, transfer the image to the watermelon surface by taping the paper to the melon and tracing along the design's lines with a pencil, making the design right on the watermelon surface.

When attaching cut pieces on the watermelon to make your design, use round toothpicks or skewers. Flat toothpicks will often break due to weight of the piece or the thickness of the rind.

Safe Handling Practices
According to the FDA, you should wash all fruits and vegetables including all melons in clean, running water before eating them. This is true of all fruits and vegetables, rinds or not. You should also use clean knives and cutting surfaces. Additionally, persons preparing melons, fruits, vegetables or other foodstuffs should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water prior to preparing the food for eating.

Be creative and have fun!

Source: National Watermelon Promotion Board