Currituck County And Watermelon—a Recipe For Summer

By Author: Buy Local
Total Articles: 5
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Currituck County is proud to sell nutritious fruits and vegetables to residents and visitors who are visiting Corolla and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Farmer’s markets are a great way to participate in the buy local movement which has positive impacts on the local economy and its residents, your health, and the environment.
Watermelon is one of summer’s sweetest treats and is low in calories and high in lycopene. Recent research has suggested that lycopene is an antioxidant which may aid in the prevention of cancer and other diseases. It is also high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Because watermelon grows best in sandy, loamy soil, a Currituck County watermelon is a must have fruit of summer. So you have no reason to not visit a Currituck County farmer’s market for fresh watermelon. To get you thinking outside the box for how to enjoy delicious watermelon, see the recipes below:
Grilled Grouper with Watermelon Salsa
Ingredients
4 (4-oz.) grouper fillets
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon salt, divided
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 cups chopped seedless watermelon
...
... 1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
1/2 English cucumber, chopped
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
2 tablespoons minced red onion
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
Directions
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (350°F-400°F). Sprinkle the grouper with pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Drizzle it with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Grill the fish, covered with the grill lid, for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until the fish starts to flake if it is poked with a sharp knife’s tip and is opaque in the center. Combine the chopped watermelon, the olives, the cucumber, the jalapeño pepper, the red onion, the white balsamic vinegar, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Serve it will the grilled fish. This will make four servings.
Recipe from Southern Living
Source: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-grouper-watermelon-50400000113410/
Watermelon Pancake Sandwiches
Ingredients
2 tablespoons maple syrup
8 silver-dollar size (3-4”) natural blueberry pancakes either homemade or prepared, warm
4 slices seedless watermelon that are the same size as the pancakes
Directions
Spread the maple syrup over one side of each blueberry pancake. Put a slice of the watermelon on the syrup-brushed side of four of the pancakes. Top the watermelon with the remaining four pancakes, syrup side down. Serve the pancake sandwiches immediately. This will make four sandwiches.
Source: http://www.watermelon.org/recipes/Watermelon-Pancake-Sandwiches-207.aspx
Cajun Chicken with Watermelon Mint Salsa
Watermelon Mint Salsa
Ingredients
2 cups chopped seedless watermelon
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 cup diced seeded tomato
1 minced seeded jalapeno to taste
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon minced fresh mint
1/2 cup chopped fresh scallions
Directions
Toss the ingredients together and cover the salsa. Refrigerate the salsa until it is time to serve it with the chicken.
Cajun Chicken Cutlets
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons granulated garlic
2 tablespoons mild chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Directions
Mix the spices together. Coat the chicken cutlets with the spice mixture. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Put the chicken breasts in the pan. Blacken both sides of the chicken breasts. Sauté until the chicken is cooked through. Put the salsa on the top of the chicken and serve it immediately. This will make six servings.
Source: http://www.watermelon.org/recipes/Cajun-Chicken-with-Watermelon-Mint-Salsa-72.aspx
Ice Cream Cone Sundaes
Ingredients
8 ice cream cones of choice
8 tablespoons of pineapple cream cheese frosting
1/2 cup dried craisins
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
8 scoops seedless watermelon (use an ice cream scooper)
Instructions
Put a tablespoon of the pineapple cream cheese frosting into the bottom of each ice cream cone. Divide the craisins over the frosting. Top the craisins with the yogurt. Place an ice cream scoop of watermelon on the top of each ice cream cone and serve. You can add additional toppings like sprinkles, chunks of pineapple, chocolate chips, or coconut flakes. This will serve eight people.
Source: http://www.watermelon.org/recipes/Ice-Cream-Cone-Sundaes-104.aspx
Watermelon is a nutritious ingredient to add to your meals and summertime cooking. Currituck County farmer’s markets are proud to provide fresh fruits and vegetables, which includes fresh watermelon. Enjoy cooking a variety of meals this summer while incorporating Currituck County’s fresh produce, such as watermelon, into your meals in different ways.