THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 16, 1994 TAG: 9406140043
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Ruth Fantasia
DATELINE: 940616 LENGTH: Short
After all, just a piece can be as big as a child's face. The next thing you know, they have pink juice dripping off their chins. Add more children, and the seeds turn into armaments. Before long, the sound of spitting watermelon seeds is as rapid as machine-gun fire.
{REST} As fun as watermelons are, they sometimes can be difficult to select. How do you tell what's under that rind?
The most expensive watermelon I ever bought came from the farmer's market in Virginia Beach a few years ago. This wonderful guy with a Jamaican accent promised me if I paid $5 for his melon, it would be the best I ever ate. It was. Sweet and juicy with rich red meat.
The National Watermelon Promotion Board suggests these more scientific methods for choosing a melon:
Choose a watermelon that is symmetrical in shape without dents, bruises and cuts.
Thump it. It should sound dull and hollow.
Turn the watermelon over and look at the underside. It should be yellow with a healthy sheen to the rind.
Finally, it should be heavy for its size.
Inside today's Flavor are a few recipes using watermelon. But don't resist the urge to join the kids, and fire a few seeds.
by CNB