Wednesday’s Helping: Watermelon

Luscious, juicy and sweet: a sexy summer fruit

Chop into this fruit for a refreshing and sweet treat. Chilled wedges of watermelon can even be a thirst quencher. Watermelons are more than 90 percent water. The plant—a vine--comes from the Cucurbitaceae family, which means it’s also related to pumpkin and squash. The growing season for watermelon occurs during the summer months. Look for the red, orange, yellow, and white flesh varieties. Some have black seeds while others have brown seeds while others contain no seeds at all. This fruit originated in Africa where Ancient Egyptians cultivated and cherished the fruit’s refreshing properties. It later spread to China and Europe. Native Americans were growing watermelon in the 16th century. Today, consumers may find watermelons year around in most major grocery stores. But summer time is the best time to get them fresh. Look for watermelons that feel heavy for their size with a smooth skin that’s neither to dull or too shiny. Watermelons contain a lot of Vitamin C and Vitamin A.