Watermelon A Super Fruit Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe

Watermelon – A Very Versatile Fruit

Summertime maybe off to a slow start, however one of summer’s favorite treats, watermelon is making an early entrance to farm stands, grocery stores and menus this year.

Some southern growers, having experienced a milder winder and no major weather events this spring have already started to ship this year’s crop.  .

For the past two decades, watermelon growers in Florida and the U.S. have experienced a small boom in consumption of watermelon, as Americans turn to more fruits and vegetables as part of a healthier diet.  Florida alone shipped over one hundred and twelve million dollars of watermelon in 2012.
Deep red varieties of watermelon have replaced the tomato as the lycopene leader among fresh fruits and vegetables. The red pigment also found in apricots, pink grapefruit, and papaya is an important antioxidant. Studies suggest that lycopene plays a role in reducing the risk of prostate, breast, endometrial cancers, as well as lung and colon cancer.

Our good friends down at Texas A&M found in a one study that watermelon may have a Viagra like effect.  Watermelon contains citrulline, which can trigger the production of a compound that helps the body’s blood vessels relax, similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra.  Who knew?
Seems like a couple of pretty good reasons to eat more watermelon.

Try this recipe from Markoh’s on Main for a savory, refreshing and healthy gazpacho.

Watermelon Gazpacho

·         6 cups Watermelon –  rind removed cubed and deseeded

·         ½ cup Red Onion - finely diced

·         1 cup Red Pepper finely diced

·         2 cups Cucumber - peeled, finely diced, and seeded

·         1 Jalapeno Pepper -  very fine diced and deseeded

·         2 Tbl  Cilantro -  chopped

·         2 Tbl  Parsley – chopped

·         ¼ cup Red Wine Vinegar

·         ½ cup Raw Sugar or Honey

·         Puree watermelon in blender until mostly smooth, leaving a few chunks.

·         Pour into large bowl with remaining ingredients

·         Mix well - Cover

·         Chill for 4 hours                                                                                                                           

It taste great and who knows … you might get lucky!