Watermelon Baskets

I am not a fan of turning on the oven during the summer months so when I have to take a dish to a family event or picnic I opt for something I don’t have to cook.  One of my favorites is making a watermelon basket for fruit salad.  It’s not as hard as it looks which in my book makes it perfect for showing off in public.

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Here’s how you can try.

You’ll need:

  • Large watermelon (make sure it has a flat bottom)
  • Sharp serrated knife or pumpkin carving saws
  • Plastic toothpick
  • Flour
  • Template or pattern (optional) and scotch tape
    Check www.watermelon.org for lots of carving ideas
  • Melon baller
  1. Tape your pattern to the watermelon, if you’re using one.
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  3. Use the toothpick to trace the pattern or draw out your own by poking small holes or scraping into the watermelon rind.
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  5. Remove the pattern.
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  7. Dust the holes with flour to make them stand out.
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  9. Ready, set, CARVE!  (I use a larger knife to cut out large chunks to start and then the small saws to do the details.)
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  11. Scoop out the watermelon in neat balls to be used in your fruit salad.
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  13. Fill watermelon with fresh fruit and enjoy the OOOOHs and AAAAHs.
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