As soon as July loomed into sight again and I began planning out this month's posts, the first thing that sprang to mind for the recipe post was something pertaining to the succulent summertime classic that is watermelon.
I've only met a couple of people (interestingly, one of my grandpas was amongst them) who didn’t madly adore watermelon. Hit on a truly ripe, juicy specimen and it is arguably amongst the most delicious, satisfying, enjoyable foods ever (not to mention that it's healthy for you too!).
{Really, is there any more iconic or appealing summertime staple on the fruit front than watermelon? We've been tucking into it for centuries now and likely will for many more to come. Vintage image source.}
Like many folks, I have plenty of happy memories of eating watermelon throughout my life and though it is hard for some of my medical conditions to handle it in bigger quantities, I still indulge in a slice or two anytime we have one in the house. It is too perfect and too tasty a food to back away from unless it really is a matter of life and death for a person, if you ask me (assuming you're a fan to begin with that is!).
While I have no doubt that there were various watermelon recipes back in the day that went beyond just "cut and serve (salt or sugar optional)" for watermelon - in fact, I've seen some in old school cookbooks over the years - a whole evening spent searching online did not turn up any vintage ads or recipes pages for any of them, aside from this one for Watermelon Salad that I blogged about two summers ago and a few newspaper style clippings for watermelon rind pickles.
So instead of throwing in the towel on my plans for a (second) watermelon recipe post, I decided that I'd try something I don't usually do here and instead roundup of a selection of absolutely fantastic sounding watermelon recipes from across the web and share them all here with you today.
After all, it the final Saturday in what is often the hottest month of the year in the Western Hemisphere and if that doesn't call for an array of tongue pleasing watermelon recipes that, for the most part, are a snap to throw together even on the most roasty-toasty of days, I don't know what does!
{All photos are care of their respective sources, which can be reached by clicking on the recipe link below each image. Unlike vintage images which are often much more in the public domain and for which the reproduction and sharing of is more liberally tolerated, I fully understand that some food bloggers do not like to have their photos shared on other blogs, even when a link back to their site is provided. If such is the case and your photo appears here, please let me know by email and I'll happily take it down or credit it in a different way that you're happy with. Thank you!}
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Yummmmm!!! Which of these watermelon culinary masterpieces and simple stunners appeals to you most of us? I'm really, really digging the froyo pops and watermelon "cake", but think they all sound seriously fantastic!
As I do like to generally keep the recipes that I share here either vintage or classics from my own family (which are usually vintage at this point themselves), I don't foresee taking this approach all that often with recipe posts, but it could be fun for a nice chance of pace every now and then. If you like this style of recipe roundup post, please don't hesitate to let me know in the comments, I'd love to get your feedback on it.
{Run, don't walk, to the nearest grocery store, produce shop, or farmer's market and snap up a prize watermelon on the double. Your taste buds and core temperature will both thank you! Vintage image source.}
Do yourself a delicious favour and rush out to the store (or to the fridge or garden, if you already have a melon to hand) and pick yourself up a big, ripe, gorgeous verdant coloured watermelon to tuck into this weekend.
With the mercury still throw the roof, believe me when I say you'll be glad that you did! :)
