Wild Wellness Wednesday Watermelon Recipes

WATERMELON AGUA FRESCA
Blend watermelon in a blender (or juice in a juicer).  Fill glasses with ice.  Add watermelon juice to 2/3 of glass.  Top with rum and a splash of lime.

GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES
Take a thick slice of watermelon and cut rounds with a small cookie cutter.  add a basil leaf and dollop of goat cheese to the top of each round.  drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.

WATERMELON SALAD SKEWERS
Cube the following and thread onto skewers along with some mint leaves: watermelon, cucumber, feta cheese and tomato.  Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Can also toss into a bowl for a salad.

WATERMELON SALSA
pulse chop in food processor: green bell pepper, red onion, green onion, jalapeno.  Add tomato and watermelon with some salt and lime juice and pulse until a chunky consistency.  Serve with chips or atop chicken or fish.

WATERMELON GAZPACHO
Blend: watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, basil, jalapeno, salt and pepper.
Chop more watermelon, cucumber and green onion.  Pour blended liquid into a bowl and top with the chopped items.

BONUS RECIPE! PICKLED WATERMELON RIND! 
4 pounds watermelon

1 serrano pepper,, thinly sliced, seeds removed if desired

1 1" piece peeled ginger, thinly sliced

2 star anise pods

4 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

1 cup sugar

1 cup plain rice vinegar

Using a vegetable peeler, remove 
tough green rind from watermelon rind and discard.

Cut rind into 1" pieces. (You should have about 4 cups.)

Bring chile, ginger, star anise, salt, peppercorns, sugar, vinegar, and ½ cup water to a boil in a large saucepan, stirring 
to dissolve sugar and salt. Add watermelon rind and return to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until just tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool, keeping rind submerged in brine.

Transfer rind and liquid to an airtight container; cover and chill at least 12 hours.