How to Cut, Store and Freeze Watermelon

We love watermelon at my house. Anytime I buy one and have family or friends in, there's usually nothing left but the rind. When I buy a small watermelon and it's just Guy and me, I always have fruit left to store. Just like other fruit, watermelon doesn't stay fresh very long once you cut it. I keep it in the refrigerator for short-term storage. If I want to keep the watermelon for a few months so I can use it later, into the freezer it goes. Read this informational article and find out how to cut, store and freeze watermelon to keep it fresh longer and save you money!

How to Cut Watermelon

Wash It First

1. To prevent the spread of dirt, germs and bacteria, wash your hands first with soap and water. Then, no matter how you plan to serve the watermelon, you should clean it first. Scrub the rind of the watermelon with a produce brush under running tap water. You may be tempted to use soap, dish detergent or a store-bought fruit wash to clean the rind. But the FDA/Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition recommends using only water and a brush.

Note: Be careful when handling a watermelon when it's wet- the rind becomes slippery.

Finally, dry the watermelon with a clean towel or paper towels.

2. There are several ways to cut a watermelon for serving. The easiest way to cut it- and the best way to stretch it to serve many people- is to slice it. You can get 138 pieces from a 20-pound watermelon. Use a clean, long bladed, sharp knife for the task. Start at one end of the watermelon and carefully cut it (it you saw or hack at it, watermelon can turn to mush) vertically into 1/2-inch slices. Then, cut each slice into 6 equal wedges.

How to Store Watermelon

1. To store an uncut watermelon, keep it at room temperature, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. It should stay fresh for up to a week if the room is warm, over 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If it's kept in a room that stays around 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, an uncut watermelon should stay fresh for up to 10 to fourteen days.

2. To store cut watermelon so it stays its freshest, securely cover the cut end in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Or, cut the watermelon flesh from the rind and place it in an airtight container. Either way, the watermelon should last 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.

How to Freeze Watermelon

Leftover watermelon can be frozen so you can use it for a recipe later like in Watermelon Slush or Watermelon Muffins. Simply dice it up and spread it out in one layer on a cookie sheet or two. Place the watermelon in the freezer for several hours until it freezes. Then, remove it from the sheet and place the watermelon in
zippered freezer bags. It should stay fresh for up to 2 weeks in the freezer. Enjoy!

Resources
http://www.watermelon.org/watermelon_selection.asp
http://www.foodsafety.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html
http://www.almanac.com/food/watermelontips.php