Watermelon is a low-calorie fruit that has more lycopene, an important antioxidant, per 1-cup-serving than tomatoes. Regardless of whether you choose a melon with seeds or the more convenient seedless variety, in addition to moist and juicy fruit, you will also get a boost of vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. Even better, watermelon holds just less than 100 calories per serving, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Chilling watermelon intensifies its flavor and increases your enjoyment of this healthy fruit.
Refrigerator
Step 1
Keep your watermelon at room temperature until you are ready to chill it. Watermelons do not continue to ripen after harvest. At 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the watermelon should last a week to 10 days with no decline in flavor or crispness.
Step 2
Create enough space on one of the lower shelves of your refrigerator to put the whole uncut watermelon in a secure spot. Try turning it lengthwise with one end facing the door to keep it from rolling around or out of the refrigerator as the door opens and closes.
Step 3
Allow the watermelon to cool overnight in the refrigerator. Depending on the size of your watermelon, it can take several hours for the fruit to chill to the core.
Step 4
Leave the melon in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. A whole watermelon begins to lose its flavor after it is chilled for two days.
Cooler
Step 1
Fill a 30-gallon cooler 2/3 full with bagged ice or ice from your freezer.
Step 2
Wrap the watermelon with a large plastic bag or several layers of plastic wrap to keep the rind from absorbing water.
Step 3
Place the watermelon on top of the ice in the cooler and close the cooler's top if there is enough room. You can cover the cooler with several bath towels if it does not have enough room to hold a sufficient amount of ice and the watermelon.
Step 4
Check the water level in the cooler after two or three hours. Drain any water and add more ice as needed to keep watermelon chilled until you are ready to eat it.
Cut Watermelon
Step 1
Cut your watermelon into slices or chunks while it is at room temperature; it will be easier to cut when warm.
Step 2
Wrap the cut watermelon pieces in plastic wrap or gather chunks into an airtight glass or plastic container.
Step 3
Leave your watermelon pieces to chill in the refrigerator for two to four hours.
Step 4
Use cut watermelon within two days.
Things You'll Need
- Bulk ice
- Refrigerator
- 30-gallon cooler
References
- Sustainable Table: Watermelon
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23 Lycopersicon esculentum http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23 Citrullus lanatus
- Eat Better America: Don't Chill the Watermelon
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