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History
Not quite a dessert, not exactly a savory
morsel, watermelon is the large, round dish or elongated product of a
trailing vine related to other melons such as honeydew and cantaloupes, and
more distantly to cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins, that possesses a hard,
green rind and sweet, juicy, normally pink or red pulp. Native to tropical
Africa but currently grown in more than 96 countries on every continent
excepting Antarctica, watermelon has a marked place in the history of
agriculture and human diet. The first watermelon harvest was held in Egypt
approximately 5,000 years ago, as depicted in the art and hieroglyphs found
on ancient Egyptian buildings. From Africa, the fruit traveled to the
Middle East, China, the countries of the Mediterranean, and subsequently
the remainder of Europe, whose explorers, settlers, and slaves later
introduced the plant to the New World. Watermelon Day is a way to bring the
rich history, high nutritional value, and the unique taste of the wonderful
fruit together into a fun summer observance!
Tradition
Because of its popularity around the world, there are many cultural
innovations on how watermelon is consumed. Watermelon Day is a fabulous
opportunity to learn more about how people of different backgrounds than
your own enjoy the fruit and test those ideas out for yourself. For
example, Israelis and Egyptians often combine watermelon with feta cheese
for the contrasting flavor. Watermelon rinds are pickled in Asian cooking.
In some places, watermelon seeds are dried, baked, and sometimes flavored
for light snacking. For a refreshing treat, try scooping some juicy
watermelon pulp, adding other melons, fruits, and berries, and sprinkling
the salad with some lemon juice. Remember that watermelon is 92% water,
doesn't contain any fat or cholesterol, and is a significant source of
vitamins A and C, fiber, and potassium. So indulge in the healthy, tasty
food and celebrate Watermelon Day with a big, juicy bite!
Facts
Watermelon
is a popular gift for a host in China and Japan.
Watermelons are grown in 44 out of the 50 United States with Florida,
Texas, California, Georgia, and Arizona consistently leading the country in
their production.
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