When it comes to Halloween, carving the same pumpkin designs each year can become routine. This year, save a pumpkin and carve your spooky masterpiece into a watermelon instead. Nutrient-rich watermelon can be a healthy alternative to other sweet treats full of added sugar during Halloween festivities, as it’s a source of vitamins A and C as well as the antioxidant lycopene and the amino acid citrulline. Because they are made up of 92 percent water, watermelons can be an effective way to stay hydrated during trick-or-treating, and creations like a Mummy or Jack O’Melon can help satisfy sweet cravings while keeping friends and family members frightfully delighted. To get started, consider these carving tips and tricks: •To make cutting and slicing easier, the watermelon should be at room temperature when carving •Cut a small, thin, flat piece from the bottom of the watermelon to provide a stable base for carving •Draw the design on the watermelon rind with a dry-erase marker before cutting; if you make a mistake, this can make it easier to wipe off •Use a sharp knife with a pointed tip for easier, cleaner cuts; consider a paring knife with a smaller tip for ease of detail •Blend scraps of watermelon that are too messy for dicing or slicing to create an easy juice Mummy Carving You will need: Watermelon Cutting board Kitchen knife Dry-erase marker Paring knife Melon-baller Scoop Vegetable peeler Cheesecloth or gauze Straight pin (optional) Battery-operated candle or light Small bowl Blueberries or bloody candy eyes Toothpicks, pins or glue Wash watermelon under cool running water and pat dry. On cutting board, place watermelon on its side and use kitchen knife to cut off 1/4- to 1/2-inch of rind from bottom to provide a sturdy base, being careful not to cut too deep into the white part of rind. Cut 1-2 inches from stem end to create an opening for a bowl to be added. Using dry-erase marker, draw eyes, nose, and mouth, along with wavy slits around carving. Use paring knife to cut them out, being sure to cut through to red flesh to let more light flow through. Use a melon-baller to hollow out inside of watermelon. Reserve watermelon balls. Use a scoop to remove remaining watermelon. Using a vegetable peeler, remove green skin off outside of watermelon, similar to peeling a cucumber. Wrap thin strips cheesecloth or gauze around the mummy carving and secure with straight pin, if needed. Place battery-operated candle or light inside carving and fit a small bowl into top of carving. Trim away excess rind to make the bowl fit securely. Fill bowl with melon balls. Attach candy eyes or blueberries using toothpicks, pins, or glue. Jack O'Melon You will need: Knife Round watermelon Melon-baller Dry-erase marker Toothpicks (optional) Battery-operated light Using knife, cut thin slice from bottom of watermelon to provide a stable base. Cut circular piece of rind from the top of watermelon big enough to reach into and remove flesh. Carefully remove top section and reserve for use as a “lid.” Remove flesh from inside the watermelon using the melon-baller, reserving melon balls for snacking. Hollow out remaining watermelon flesh and use a blender to juice the scraps and excess juice. Using a dry-erase marker, draw outlines of eyes, nose, mouth, hair, ears, and other features on the side of watermelon. If a mistake is made with marker, wipe off using paper towel to start over. Following outlines, carve features into watermelon and remove excess rind. A safe, battery-operated light can be firmly placed inside watermelon to provide that haunting glow. Place the circular “lid” of rind back on top of the watermelon. All materials courtesy of Family Features. For more watermelon carving ideas, visit watermelon.org |
