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Welcome to the "W" issue of Alphabet Soup!
"W" Is For WATERMELON!
A Bit Of History
Watermelon is thought to have originated in the Kalahari Desert of Africa.
The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt and is depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphics on the walls of their ancient buildings. Watermelons were often placed in the burial tombs of kings to nourish them in the afterlife.
From there, watermelons spread throughout countries along the Mediterranean Sea by way of merchant ships.
By the 10th century, watermelon found its way to China, which is now the world's number one producer of watermelons.
The 13th century found watermelon spread through the rest of Europe via the Moors.
In 1615 the word "watermelon" first appeared in the English dictionary, according to John Mariani in his book, "The Dictionary of American Food & Drink."
Southern food historian, John Egerton, believes watermelon made its way to the United States with African slaves as he states in his book, "Southern Food."
The United States currently ranks fourth in worldwide production of watermelon. Forty-four states grow watermelons with Florida, Texas, California, Georgia and Arizona consistently leading the country in production.
Watermelon has become a year-round staple in households the world over. With more countries than ever importing and exporting watermelons, it is easy to find the sweet, healthy and refreshing fruit any time of the year.
Click here for more Watermelon Fun Facts
Blushing with Pride: Watermelon is Bursting with Lycopene
Watermelon is the lycopene leader among fresh fruit and vegetables. A plant pigment found in only a few red plant foods such as tomatoes and watermelon, lycopene is thought to have powerful antioxidant capabilities and may help to prevent certain diseases. While tomatoes traditionally have been used in lycopene research because of their established lycopene levels, scientists recently discovered that watermelon have as much lycopene --or more than--that found in raw tomato. A 2-cup serving of watermelon contains 18.16 mg while one medium-sized tomato contains 4 mg. Studies also suggest that the bioavailability of lycopene in fresh watermelon may be comparable to that in tomato juice.
What Is Lycopene?
Lycopene is a red pigment found in plants and is part of a large class of plant compounds called carotenoids. Carotenoids are fat soluble and create yellow, orange or red colors in plants. Carotenoids are not made by humans. Lycopene is not found in high amounts in many plants. The greatest sources of lycopene in fresh fruits and vegetables are watermelon, tomato, red grapefruit and guava.
The red color found in strawberries, cherries, etc. is a water soluble pigment called anthocyanin, and is formed by a very different pathway from the carotenoids.
The primary role of carotenoids in plants is to neutralize compounds created during photosynthesis. These compounds are often hydrogen peroxide or singlet oxygen, both of which will attack and destroy cell membranes, ultimately damaging the cell. Singlet oxygen is oxygen with a higher energy charge because outer orbital electrons are spinning in opposite directions.
Humans breathe in oxygen as O2. The biological processes in the body use oxygen for reactions, frequently creating singlet oxygen as a byproduct. The singlet oxygen is very reactive (high electric charge) and therefore must be eliminated by the body before cell damage occurs. The body uses antioxidants, compounds that look for singlet oxygen and neutralizes it. Of the carotenoids, lycopene is the most effective oxygen scavenger because it can neutralize several singlet oxygen with one lycopene molecule. Other antioxidants are Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and Vitamin E.
How To Choose A Watermelon
1. Look the watermelon over, choose a firm, symmetrical watermelon that is free of bruises, cuts and dents.
2. Lift it up - the watermelon should be heavy for its size. Watermelon is 92% water, that accounts for most of its weight.
3. Turn it over - on the underside of the watermelon there should be a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
Following these tips will help you pick the best watermelon available. Just remember, the keys to picking a great watermelon are as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Handling & Storing Watermelon
Store watermelon on the warm side
Compared to most fruits, watermelons need a more "tropical" climate - a thermometer reading of 55° F is ideal. However, whole melons will keep for 7 to 10 days at room temperature. Store them too long, and they'll lose flavor and texture.
Lower temperatures cause chill injury
After two days at 32° F, watermelons develop an off-flavor, become pitted and lose color. Freezing causes rind to break down and produces a mealy, mushy texture.
Once a melon is cut, it should be wrapped and stored at
37° - 39° F.
Removing Seeds Is A Breeze
Wash and quarter a whole melon, then cut each quarter into three or four wedges
Cut lengthwise along the seed line with a paring knife, and lift off piece.
Using a fork, scrape seeds both from the removed piece and the remaining flesh on the rind.
Use for cubes or continue with recipe.
Safe Handling Practices
According to the FDA, you should wash all fruits and vegetables including all melons in clean, running water before eating them. This is true of all fruits and vegetables, rinds or not. You should also use clean knives and cutting surfaces. Additionally, persons preparing melons, fruits, vegetables or other foodstuffs should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water prior to preparing the food for eating.
Fun & Easy Tips
If you have a traditional watermelon loving family that loves to eat whole large watermelons at picnics and barbecues, why not shake things up and bring a yellow watermelon to your next picnic. They taste just as great as a red watermelon, but they're yellow!
Try freezing watermelon juice in ice cube trays to add to lemonades and fruit punches for a flavorful addition to your drink. An easy way to do this is to put a few cups of de-seeded watermelon in a blender and mix it until smooth. You will probably want to run it through a strainer before putting it in an ice tray. Then freeze and enjoy!
An easy carving is a great way to bring attention to your food. Follow one of our easy carving instructions and it will surely be the talk of the party. We have designs for all kinds of parties - kid's birthdays, wedding and baby showers, anniversaries, holidays and just about anything else. Take a look for yourself and see how beautiful and easy it is!
For more watermelon carving ideas visit www.Watermelon.org
Click here for a printable version of this article!
 Recommended Reading
American Heart Association Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook, Second Edition: Heart-Healthy, Easy-To-Make Recipes That Taste Great
If you're interested in being kind to your heart without short-changing your taste buds, here's the skinny from folks who ought to know:
the American Heart Association. In the second edition of Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook,
these popular heart-healthy, easy-to-make recipes have been updated and revised to provide even tastier and more varied meals for you and your family.
Imagine digging into Clam Chowder, Chocolate Custard Cake, or Crab Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce without that frisson of guilt that usually
accompanies such indulgences. From the first recipe in the book (Nectarine-Plum Chutney) to the last (Baked Apples), you'll find plenty of good food
that's good for you and easy to make. In addition to the recipes (many illustrated with color photos), there are also sections containing information
about how to make healthy changes in your diet and plenty of tips on cooking for a healthy heart.
(courtesy: Amazon.com)
Read More!
"W" RECIPES
"W" ARTICLES
What's in a Name?
Pink peppercorns are not peppercorns. Common black pepper comes from black peppercorns, which along with green and white peppercorns, are all the same berry, (at various stages of ripeness), from a pepper plant....
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What's up Doc?
Carrots are available year round. The ones with the greens still attached are usually fresher and better tasting than their bagged, topless counterparts. Choose carrots that are firm, free of cracks, and with non-wilted greens. The best ones are young and slender. Baby carrots however, although the most tender, are not as flavorful as their adolescent peers. Older and larger carrots are tougher and sometimes need to have their woody core removed....
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When Opposites Attract
Mayonnaise, milk, cream, butter, Hollandaise sauce, vinaigrettes, sauce Béarnaise, etc., are all emulsions. An emulsion is a blending of fat, usually oil or dairy fat, and a liquid, usually water based, whereby tiny, even microscopic droplets of the one are dispersed in the other. The tinier the droplets the creamier and more stable the emulsion. The problem with emulsions is their constituents are resistant to intermingling. Oil and water do not mix.
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When Recipes Go Awry
Have you ever watched some celebrity chef effortlessly whip up some yummy looking dish on TV? You then try the recipe yourself but uh oh, it doesn't come out like on TV. As you scratch your head and retrace your steps, you begin to realize those 30 minute TV concoctions are not as simple as they seem. What went wrong? The answer lurks in equipment, ingredients, methodology, and expertise.
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Where's The Beef?
Comprehending all the different cuts of beef can be a little confusing. For example, did you know that a strip steak, New York strip, Kansas City steak, club steak, shell steak, and top loin steak all come from the same section of beef? Who wouldn't be confused with such jargon?
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The Extreme Embellished Purse
Girls will love this purse! A great way to show young girls some basic sewing skills and help them create something of their very own.
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Tag - Your It! 18 Varieties of an Old Favorite
Tag is a game that has lasted throughout the ages. We played them as a child and our children do the same. There are many different varieties of tag that have sprung up throughout the years. Try one of these fun games with your kids!
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Chicken Pox Vaccination or Not?
My family physician has suggested that we have our 18-month-old daughter vaccinated with the chicken pox vaccine. Is there enough information out there to support this recommendation?
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SURPRISE ICE CUBE GARNISH
Add a pretty touch to iced drinks with floral ice cubes. Use only edible
flowers, such as violets or rose petals. Just wash and place a flower in
each compartment. Fill with water, making sure the flower stays submerged,
freeze and voila!
Check out more tips in the online Kitchen TipBook!
SAFE GUM REMOVAL
Next time your children come home with
gum in their hair, try this simple technique:
Rub a drop of vegetable oil on
the blades of scissors.
Trim away as much of the
gum as your can.
Apply a teaspoon of creamy peanut
butter to the gum (to break it down).
Use your fingers to remove as much
gum as you can.
Wash your child's hair.
This trick makes a nice alternative
to cutting the gum from the hair.
Click here for More Household Tips!
BALLOON HEAD RACE
Organize players into pairs and give each team a partially inflated balloon. When the game starts, teams must race to a finish line carrying a balloon between their heads. Don't use your hands! On hot summer days try using water balloons or running the race through a sprinkler.
Check out more fun family ideas in our Family FunBook!
 FAMILYCORNER & MOMSMENU ARE LOOKING FOR YOUR KIDS AND THEIR RECIPES!
FamilyCorner.com & MomsMenu.com have teamed up with Crayola to bring you this very special feature. We are looking for kids who enjoy cooking and want to share their recipes with everyone! If your submission is used, your child will receive a free Crafty Cooking Kit from Crayola along with other fun prizes!
Check out the details on this fun cooking adventure for kids here
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