There’s nothing quite like eating refreshingly cool and juicy watermelon on a hot day at the beach.
Why? Watermelons are about 92 percent water, making it a healthy and hydrating snack that helps you feel full for longer. The fibre and water content in the sweet pink flesh is also important for healthy digestion.
This refreshing fruit is soaked with nutrients. Each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids. There’s even a modest amount of potassium. Plus, this quintessential summer snack is fat-free, very low in sodium and has only about 40 calories per cup. That’s lower than even “low-sugar” fruits such as berries.
Several nutrients in watermelon have specific benefits for heart health. Studies suggest that lycopene may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Watermelon’s high levels of lycopene are very effective at protecting cells from damage and may help lower the risk of heart disease. Also, the fruit’s concentrations of citrulline and arginine are good for your heart. Arginine can help improve blood flow and may help reduce the accumulation of excess fat. The lycopene in watermelon makes it an anti-inflammatory fruit.
Two vitamins in watermelon, A and C, are important for skin and hair health. Vitamin C helps your body make collagen, a protein that keeps your skin supple and your hair strong. Vitamin A is also important for healthy skin since it helps create and repair skin cells. Without enough vitamin A, your skin can look dry and flaky. Both lycopene and beta-carotene may also help protect your skin from sunburn.
Watermelon-loving athletes are in luck: drinking watermelon juice before an intense workout helps reduce next-day muscle soreness and heart rate, according to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. This can be attributed to watermelon’s amino acids citrulline and arginine, which help improve circulation.
Like other fruits and vegetables, watermelons may be helpful in reducing the risk of cancer through their antioxidant properties.
Over 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown worldwide, so you’re definitely spoiled for choice. In China and Japan watermelon is a popular gift to bring a host, so remember this next time you go to a friend’s place for dinner.
In the meantime, visit the Brasserie Restaurant to taste our delicious ‘Cayman Watermelon Salad’ (pictured above).
CAYMAN WATERMELON SALAD
Serves 6
Ingredients
Citrus Vinaigrette:
1 cup watermelon juice
½ cup fresh orange juice
¼ cup lime juice
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
For the salad:
1 bunch fresh basil
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup hazelnuts
2 pounds watermelon, cubed
4 cups mixed greens, slightly torn
½ pound cucumber, cubed
½ pound java apples, shaved
3 radishes, shaved
½ pound French feta, crumbled
kosher salt
fresh ground pepper
Cayman Sea Salt
Method
To make the vinaigrette, blend all the ingredients until combined. Place in a clean container until ready to use.
To create the salad, blend the basil and olive oil for about 3 minutes. Strain the oil through a fine mesh strainer but do not force through the mesh, you just want the oil to drip out, leaving the solids behind. Once the oil has drained, discard the solids.
Preheat an oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the hazelnuts on a sheet pan lined with parchment in an even layer. Toast for 6-8 minutes, or until gold brown. Take care not to over toast. As a general rule of thumb, if you can smell the hazelnuts’ toasted fragrance while the oven is closed, then they are most likely burnt. Once toasted, allow to cool and lightly crush.
Place the watermelon in a vacuum sealable bag and add ½ cup of the vinaigrette. Vacuum press the watermelon until compressed. This will depend on the system you have but vacuum pressing the watermelon is optional.
Combine mixed greens, cucumbers, shaved java apples, and shaved radishes in a mixing bowl and dress with the vinaigrette, season with salt and pepper. Divide the dressed salad between the plates. Place the compressed watermelon, French feta and hazelnuts onto the salad. Drizzle the basil oil over the salad and finish with Cayman Sea Salt.