Red, white and blue are the traditional colors used to celebrate the 4th of July, which is great news for fruit lovers because watermelons, cantaloupes, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries can make a great fruit salad. Fresh fruit is abundant at farmers markets across the state.
A watermelon fruit bowl makes a delicious and attractive side dish for a 4th of July celebration at the pool, beach, lake or backyard cookout.
A suggestion for making a fruit bowl is to make the night before to give the fruit plenty of time to chill in the refrigerator. Use the lip of a cup to help scallop the edges and, if you are feeling extra creative, try leaving a handle to turn your fruit bowl into a basket. Outline handle on top of melon and cut away portion to leave in shape of a basket. Scoop out red part of the melon to be returned to basket along with the other fruit.
Finally, use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut the watermelon into fun shapes.
Melon Fruit Bowl
- Cut a slice off the bottom of the melon to make level.
- Cut top third off the melon.
- To make watermelon or cantaloupe balls, scoop out inside with melon-ball cutter or a measuring teaspoon.
- Using a cup as a guide, trace scallops around the edge of the hollowed shell. Then carve out scalloped edges following pattern.
- Fill shell with melon balls, small slices of peaches and other assorted fruit as desired.
Join us for Watermelon Day at one of the four state-operated farmers markets. Guests can get free samples of watermelon slices and pick up unique recipes to try at home. Watermelon days are on the following dates:
- July 7: Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
- July 21: Piedmont Triad Farmers Market
- July 27: State Farmers Market in Raleigh
- July 28: WNC Farmers Market in Fletcher