Three Cheers for Watermelon: Red, Yellow, and Orange Delights
Nothing says summer quite like watermelon.
Whether it’s sliced into wedges at a backyard barbecue, packed in a cooler for a day at the beach, or transformed into a refreshing salad, watermelon has earned its place as the unofficial fruit of summer. Sweet, juicy, and incredibly refreshing, it arrives just as the temperatures climb and our craving for fresh seasonal produce reaches its peak.
Most of us picture watermelon with its familiar bright red flesh, but today’s shoppers may be surprised to discover that watermelon comes in a rainbow of summer colors. Red, yellow, and even orange-fleshed varieties are making appearances at farm stands and farmers' markets across the country, each offering its own unique flavor profile.
Red watermelon remains the classic favorite. Its vibrant color comes from lycopene, the same antioxidant found in tomatoes. Red varieties tend to deliver the flavor many of us grew up with: sweet, juicy, and unmistakably summer.
Yellow watermelon often catches shoppers off guard. From the outside, it looks nearly identical to its red counterpart, but one slice reveals sunny yellow flesh. Many people describe yellow watermelon as slightly sweeter, with subtle notes of honey and apricot. Its cheerful color makes it a standout addition to fruit platters and summer gatherings.
Orange watermelon is the rarest of the trio. With a rich sunset-colored interior, orange varieties offer a sweeter, almost tropical flavor that some compare to cantaloupe or mango. When served alongside red and yellow watermelon, the colorful display is guaranteed to start conversations around the table.
Beyond their beautiful colors, all watermelons share something important: they are incredibly refreshing. Made up of more than 90 percent water, watermelon is nature’s answer to a hot July afternoon. It also provides vitamins A and C along with beneficial antioxidants.
Selecting a ripe watermelon remains one of summer’s great traditions. Look for a melon that feels heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow field spot where it rested on the ground while ripening. A dull rind rather than a shiny one is often another sign that the fruit was harvested at peak maturity.
As we celebrate the height of summer on Long Island, watermelon reminds us to slow down and savor the season. From beach picnics and family barbecues to farmers' markets and farm stands, few foods capture the spirit of July quite like this colorful summer favorite.
This year, if you spot a yellow or orange watermelon alongside the traditional red, take one home. You may discover a new favorite and add a little extra sunshine to your summer table.
Watermelon-Feta Summer Skewers
A colorful appetizer that captures the sweet, salty, and refreshing flavors of summer.
Ingredients:
- 2 c red watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 c yellow watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 c orange watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 oz feta cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Fresh mint leaves
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Himalayan pink salt
- 18–24 appetizer skewers or sturdy toothpicks
Directions:
- Thread a cube of watermelon onto each skewer.
- Add a mint leaf and a cube of feta.
- Repeat, alternating colors of watermelon for a vibrant presentation.
- Arrange on a serving platter.
- Sprinkle with lemon zest and a light dusting of Himalayan pink salt.
- Serve chilled.
Locavore Tip: Prepare the skewers up to 2 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add the lemon zest and salt just before serving.
Nature's Gatorade Watermelon Cooler - Makes 4 servings.
A naturally hydrating mocktail packed with electrolytes and summer flavor.
Ingredients:
- 4 c seedless watermelon, cubed
- 1 c coconut water
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- 8–10 fresh mint leaves
- Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
- Ice
Directions:
- Blend watermelon until smooth.
- Strain if desired for a smoother texture.
- In a pitcher, combine watermelon juice, coconut water, lemon juice, cucumber slices, mint leaves, and a pinch of Himalayan salt.
- Stir well and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.
- Fill chilled glasses with ice and pour over the cooler.
- Garnish with a watermelon wedge, cucumber slice, and fresh mint sprig.
Why It's Nature's Gatorade: Watermelon provides hydration and potassium, coconut water contributes natural electrolytes, lemon adds vitamin C, and a pinch of salt helps replenish minerals lost during a hot summer day.