National Watermelon Day: Celebrating Summer's Sweetest Fruit on August 3

August 3 marks National Watermelon Day—a perfect excuse to indulge in summer's most refreshing treat. As Mark Twain famously quipped, "When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat." This beloved fruit (botanically a vegetable!) deserves its own day of celebration.

Picking the Perfect Watermelon

• Choose symmetrical melons—round, oval, or oblong—with a buttery yellow ground spot (the "field spot").
• The melon should feel heavy for its size, indicating high water content.
• Avoid any with soft spots, bruises, or cracks.

For more ripeness tips on watermelon and other produce, explore our comprehensive harvesting guides.

Creative Watermelon Recipes

• Watermelon Basket with Honey Lime Dressing: A zesty twist on fruit salad.
• Classic Watermelon Punch: The ultimate midday cooler.
• Pickled Watermelon Rinds: Don't toss the rinds—pickle them for unconventional, refreshing bites.
• Watermelon Barbecue Marinade: Marinate chicken, pork, fish, or shellfish for a sweet-savory glaze.
• Tipsy Strawberry Watermelon Pops: Boozy frozen treats to end a perfect summer day.

These recipes and tips come courtesy of The Old Farmer's Almanac EXTRA! monthly magazine. Dive in and make every day taste like National Watermelon Day.

~ By Almanac Staff