Learn to reduce watermelon sticks — the most effective, mess-free approach to serve watermelon, and successful with youngsters! I will present you ways with a video and step-by-step images.

I’ve a secret hack for entertaining, particularly when youngsters are current: maintain one thing again. 

What I imply by that’s, after y’all have caught up, eaten some meals, and there’s a lull within the dialog, or the children want a distraction, pull one thing out that can delight.

Spoiler alert: it’s normally extra meals!

For instance, current the children with tray of sugar cookies plus icing and fruit to assemble and eat, or a contemporary appetizer to pair with a post-dinner spherical of cocktails for the adults.

Or a large platter of watermelon sticks. I can not overstate what successful these mess-free, easy-to-eat watermelon spears are with a crowd, and they’re a cinch to slice!

The best way to Reduce Watermelon Sticks: VIDEO

Good for Entertaining

Anytime I serve watermelon sticks to a crowd or visitor I inevitably get a “WOW!” which, let’s be actual, is a pleasant feeling. Watermelon cubes and wedges are acquainted, so being offered with a giant bowl or platter of sticks is a enjoyable shock.

The strategy for learn how to reduce watermelon sticks shouldn’t be solely straightforward to do, however makes watermelon a bit of simpler to eat. When’s the final time you noticed somebody devour a watermelon wedge with a shred of dignity left on the finish? 😉

Youngsters additionally LOVE consuming watermelon sticks and, as a Mother, I recognize that they’re rather less messy then watermelon wedges which inevitably finish in sticky, ear-to-ear watermelon smiles.

The best way to Inform if a Watermelon is Ripe?

A very powerful factor to do earlier than slicing your watermelon into sticks is to ensure you decide a superb watermelon. In contrast to different melons like cantaloupe, watermelon don’t proceed to ripen after being harvested, so choosing a superb one from the get-go will set you up for achievement.

Right here’s learn how to decide a ripe watermelon:

1. Subject spot: search for a watermelon with a big, yellow-orange area spot which signifies it’s been ripening within the solar for a superb size of time. A lightweight yellow, white, or inexperienced area spot means it was picked early and is probably going underripe.
2. Weight: select a watermelon that feels heavy for its dimension, indicating its very juicy.
3. Webbing: usually, imperfections in fruit and berries is a unfavorable, however watermelon with webbing are normally sweeter than ones with out.
4. Dullness: equally, a darkish and uninteresting watermelon signifies it was underneath the solar ripening longer than a easy and glossy watermelon.
5. No dings: whereas webbing and a matte end are preferable, watermelon with dents, lumps, and bruises needs to be prevented.

Skilled Slicing Ideas

I perceive that reducing an entire watermelon usually could be a little intimidating, so listed below are my greatest ideas for dealing with one:

1. Wash the melon. It’s necessary to clean and dry your watermelon earlier than slicing it. Not solely can it are available in with grime from the sphere, however take into consideration all the opposite arms that will have been inspecting it on the retailer utilizing the factors listed above!
2. Stabilize the reducing board. Moist a paper towel then wring it out and place underneath your reducing board which can stop it from slipping and shifting round. I additionally wish to hold a kitchen towel close by to take in any watermelon juice.
3. Select a big reducing board. Select the biggest reducing board you’ve acquired so there’s room to work!
4. Select the appropriate knife. I like to recommend a protracted chef’s knife vs a smaller paring knife or perhaps a serrated knife. A pointy knife is essential to stop accidents or accidents.
5. The place to chop. For watermelon sticks you’ll need to slice the watermelon in half width-wise vs length-wise/stem-to-stem.

Alrighty, let’s get to it!

The best way to Reduce Watermelon Sticks: Step by Step

When you’re a visible learner, I extremely advocate you watch the video above!

Step 1: Wash and dry the watermelon. 

To take away any free grime from the skin.

Step 2: Slice it in half. 

Slice the watermelon in half width-wise to create two round halves, vs stem-to-stem / length-wise. Place one watermelon half reduce facet down on a big reducing board, then set the opposite half apart.

Step 3. Create a sq.. 

Use a pointy knife to slice off 4 sides of the watermelon rind, leaving the rind on prime intact.

Step 4: Slice the watermelon. 

Slice the watermelon sq. into 1-inch slices.

Step 5: Slice within the different path.

Both flip all of the watermelon slices or rotate the reducing board 180 levels then make 1″ slices within the different path to create a grid sample.

Voila – watermelon sticks! I’m telling you, that is the best approach to slice watermelon for snacking or serving to a crowd!

The best way to Retailer and Freeze

Switch then organize the watermelon sticks into a big serving bowl or platter then cowl with gladware or plastic wrap and place within the fridge as much as 24 hours forward of time. You possibly can chill your watermelon previous to slicing so it’s not room temperature.

• What to do with leftovers: Dice up leftover watermelon sticks then retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge. Add to lettuce salads, fruit salads, juice, smoothies, or cocktails.
• The best way to freeze: Dice up leftover watermelon sticks then place in a single layer, un-touching, on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze (don’t skip the parchment paper or the watermelon will freeze to the sheet pan.) Switch the frozen cubes to a Ziplock freezer bag and freeze flat.

When you freeze watermelon cubes I NEED you to return again to this publish and inform me what you assume. Frozen watermelon cubes are SO weird trying!

Whether or not you slice up and serve watermelon sticks to your loved ones or your subsequent occasion or get-together, I hope this tutorial for learn how to reduce watermelon sticks has been useful!

Extra Watermelon Recipes

The best way to Reduce Watermelon Sticks (With Video!)

Description

Learn to reduce watermelon sticks — the most effective, mess-free approach to serve watermelon, and successful with youngsters! I will present you ways with a video and step-by-step images.

Substances

Instructions

1. Search for a watermelon that feels heavy for its dimension and has a big, yellow-orange area spot on one facet indicating that it has been ripening within the solar for a very long time. Watermelon with webbing and a uninteresting look (vs shiny) additionally normally point out a sweeter melon.
2. Wash and dry the watermelon then slice in half widthwise with a big, sharp knife. Set one half apart then place the opposite half reduce facet down on a big reducing board.
3. Slice the rind off 4 sides of the watermelon to create a sq., leaving the rind intact on prime. Slice the watermelon into 1″ slices then flip both the reducing board or the watermelon slices as an entire, 180 levels, and slice into equal-sized slices to create watermelon sticks.
4. Switch the sticks to a big serving bowl or platter then serve.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Woman Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Pictures by Ashley McLaughlin