Easy Carved Watermelon Bowl with Fruit Salad is a fun way to celebrate any occasion this summer.
This fruit salad is perfect for your summer get-togethers with lots of colorful seasonal fruit set in a fun watermelon rind container that is easy and fun to carve.
This watermelon fruit bowl/basket is a favorite memory from my childhood. I remember my mom making them when I was a kid. I like that you can be creative and carve the "bowl" in lots of different ways.
Also, I love experimenting with different fruits and colors which can be customized to fit many different occasions. For example, use mostly red/reddish and blue/blueish fruits for patriotic holidays.
Below are some simple tips on how to carve the basket and assemble and store the fruit.
Tips and Tricks, and items needed:
To make sure the watermelon is ripe turn the watermelon upside down. You should find a yellow spot. A large yellow spot indicates that it spent more time ripening on the vine and should be sweeter. The watermelon should also be heavy and uniform in shape.
Use a melon scoop/baller to make pretty round watermelon and cantaloupe bites.
Use a marker to draw on the pattern before you cut the watermelon.
Use a paring knife and sharp serrated knife to make a zig-zag design (or other design) in the watermelon.
Put the washed and cut fruit into separate containers the night before to avoid the melding of the flavors and colors of the fruit. The morning of the party, layer the fruit in the watermelon bowl for a pretty presentation.
The Ingredients:
One ripe watermelon
Various types of fruits, I used: watermelon, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, blackberries, and Kiwi. Also consider other fruits such as cantaloupe, pineapple, star fruit, etc.
mint for garnish
Directions:
Clean the watermelon with water. I wipe it down with a paper towel.
Cut a thin slice of the rind at the bottom of the watermelon for stability.
3. Use a sharpie or food-safe marker, and draw the design on the watermelon. I drew an easy zig-zag design. This is so easy, I use this design the most. However, a curvy/wave design would be pretty as well. Experiment and have fun!
*Look closely to see the design on the watermelon. If using a Sharpie, cut below the marks for food safety.
4. Carefully cut the watermelon following your pattern with a paring or serrated knife. Then, insert a large knife into one of the cuts. Slowly and carefully lift up the top to pull the two halves of the watermelon apart.
5. Use a melon scoop/baller to make round watermelon balls. Empty out the watermelon juice as necessary. Scape out the excess watermelon as you go. The leftover scraps make a good snack!
6. Continue to scrape out most of the watermelon and extra juice/water. Wash, cut, clean, and dry the other fruit and store each fruit in a separate container in the refrigerator if not using that day.
7. The day of the event, take out the fruit and layer it in the watermelon bowl. Use more of the heavier fruit on the bottom and more of the fragile fruit on the top.
For example, start with a good layer of watermelon at the bottom. Then add a layer of grapes, then strawberries, then a few blueberries, kiwi, etc. If using fragile fruits like kiwi and raspberries, use most of those fruits towards the top when layering.
8. Put plastic wrap over the top of the watermelon and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Put it on a pretty platter, and garnish with mint leaves.
Above, the party had just got started, and already the watermelon fruit salad was a hit! Have fun and celebrate often!! ❤️.
Bon Appetit! p
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