Everything (really everything) about watermelon: properties and delicious recipes

Let's find out all the characteristics of watermelon: the benefits, properties, different types and many recipes to enjoy it!

Who doesn't love the taste of watermelon? Fresh, slightly sweet and refreshing , this fruit is certainly one of the symbols of summer and it brings joy and happiness even just to the sight!

In addition to its much appreciated flavour, there are many things to discover about the quintessential fruit of the summer season : benefits, curiosities, recipes and much more. What do you say, do you want to become real watermelon experts? Then follow us !

• Nutritional values
  • Pregnant: yes or no?
• Types of watermelon
  • Classical
  • Yellow
  • Square
  • Seedless
• How to eat watermelon
  • Granita
  • Sorbet
  • Frost
  • Jam
  • Gazpacho
  • Salad
• Watermelon diet

The nutritional values ​​of watermelon: calories and properties

Many are wondering: does watermelon make you fat? Absolutely not! Watermelon's calories are very low, and think that this is one of the lightest fruits in the world: every 100 grams represents just 30 calories. This low content comes from the natural sugars it contains, but as you can understand, they are very few .

Let's see in full its nutritional values ​​(per 100 g of product):

• Calories 30 kcal
• Water 95.30 g
• Carbohydrates 3.7 g
• Fat 0 g
• Protein 0.5 g
• Sugars 6 g
• Calcium 7 mg
• Magnesium 10 mg
• Phosphorus 11 mg
• Potassium 112 mg
• Lycopene 4532 mcg
• Cholesterol 0 g
• Vitamin A 37 µg
• Vitamin B1 0.02 mg
• Vitamin B2 0.02 mg
• Vitamin B3 0.1 mg
• Vitamin C 8 mg
• Beta-carotene 3.3 mcg

Its properties, then, are many . First of all, given its composition (92% water and 8% sugars) it helps to hydrate the body during the hottest periods .

To consider also the presence of vitamins of group A, B and C, which give energy to our body, and mineral salts among which potassium stands out above all, as well as citrulline, an amino acid that helps the production of arginine, a sort of viagra natural that dilates blood vessels and promotes blood flow to the genitals.

It doesn't end there : this fruit is also good for the skin, protecting it from the risks associated with exposure to UV rays, it helps heart disease and hypertension and reduces bad cholesterol levels in the blood.

Finally, eating this fruit helps improve the quality of sleep and stimulates the production of serotonin. In short, what could be better than going to sleep full, light… and also being able to fall asleep?

Watermelon in pregnancy: yes or no?

Watermelon during pregnancy is fine, and this is because it is rich in water, mineral salts and vitamins, and therefore it is an excellent food for the baby, highly recommended (but it should still be taken in reasonable doses! ).

The types of watermelon

In addition to the classic watermelon that we are used to seeing, there are other types, some curious and very interesting . Therefore, not only large fruits that are green on the outside and red on the inside: let's see better what the various types are!

"Classic" watermelon

What we are used to eating every day is none other than Citrullus Vulgaris , a fruit native to Africa and which belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. But maybe you don't know that… there are about 50 varieties of this fruit, from the water melon that grows in southern Italy to the watermelon of Pistoia and Faenza!

Yellow watermelon

Not everyone knows about it, but it's a real surprise! On the outside , this fruit looks like its little red sister (except that it's a little smaller), but as soon as it's opened, its yellow pulp appears ! Its roots lie in the Rising Sun, but today it can also be easily found in Europe. The taste is also reminiscent of pineapple and mango and its texture is crunchier: in short, a nice discovery.

Square watermelon

The fruit of experiments and of still doubtful attribution , it is simply a watermelon which is grown into a square shape using certain methods . And in Japan it's really strong!

Seedless watermelons

Here too we are faced with a controversial food that causes discussion. Certainly the watermelon seeds are the most annoying part of the fruit , but don't think this is a solution found by expert farmers or something else! It is a laboratory fruit , born to meet the needs of consumers

How to eat watermelon? Delicious recipes

Well, perhaps it will be trivial, but this is a delicious fruit even eaten raw. If you 're wondering how to cut watermelon to serve it after lunch or dinner , you can also just make slices, or make it into cubes or balls with an ice cream scooper, to give the fruit an even fancier shape!

However, there are also many recipes that you can propose with this versatile and tasty fruit. Here are some interesting ones that will surely whet your appetite and your imagination !

Watermelon granita

Simple, refreshing, yummy! To make a watermelon granita, all you have to do is get the pulp (500 g for about 4 people) and add sugar (90 g) and 50 ml of water. Blend everything and then make a sort of watermelon ice, which you will have to blend and serve the next day!

If it's not for children, we also recommend our version with vodka !

Watermelon sorbet

Very similar to granita, but more velvety is sorbet , which you can make with simple sugar and pulp. Cook the sugar with the blended pulp, then let it cool and put it in the freezer .

The next day blend everything until it is creamy! What a delight!

Watermelon frost

The gelo di watermelon is a typical Sicilian preparation which in appearance is somewhat reminiscent of a pudding.

It is prepared with 800 g of watermelon, 50 g of corn starch, 50 g of granulated sugar: after having eliminated the seeds of the watermelon, blend it and filter it so as to obtain only the juice; In a saucepan, combine masi and sugar and slowly pour in the juice. Let it thicken over a low heat and transfer the mixture into ramekins to leave to rest in the fridge for half a day.

Watermelon jam

For this dish you will need 600 g of pulp, 1 apple, 250 g of sugar and 1 lemon. It's a particular jam , it's true, but its taste is unique!

The preparation is that of the classic jam: cook the fruit in a pot over low heat until it reaches a thick consistency. Just remember to remove all the seeds !

Watermelon gazpacho

Summer is the best time for light and refreshing cold soups, but also watermelon! In fact, the recipe for watermelon gazpacho combines both.

To make it you will need: 500 g of watermelon, 200 g of pachino tomatoes, 2 shallots, 1 clove of garlic, 1 cucumber, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, salt to taste, pepper to taste, 1 pinch of chilli pepper, a few drops of tabasco, 1 tuft of basil, toasted pine nuts to taste. To prepare , just blend everything , season to taste and store in the fridge!

Watermelon salad

Finally, it is also very good if placed in savory dishes , mainly in a salad. In fact, watermelon goes well with both salt and pepper, and is excellent with feta cheese , mint, basil and rocket.

Try our watermelon salad and a world will open up for you!

What is the watermelon diet

As we said, this fruit is a friend of the skin , but also of the figure! If you want to include it in your diet, you can try the watermelon diet which promises up to 5 kg lost in a few weeks .

How you do it? Simply put it in a fruit salad in the morning, but also as a mid-morning and afternoon snack, perhaps with a smoothie or even simply chopped.

The only problem is seasonality : take advantage of the summer to try this miracle diet! You will eliminate belly swelling and fight cellulite and water retention . But remember to always consult a doctor first!

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