“They should sound like there’s something going on inside,” he once told me. Knowing that, it seems almost a moral imperative to salt melon and release the sweetness that’s yearning to breathe free. The sweetness of the melon comes out with a pinch of salt. Salt on ice cream? According to Post and Courier, a story from 1910 responds to a local asking how best to prepare watermelon: Lifestyle ⦠Because its sodium content is negligible, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Database lists watermelon as contributing no sodium to the recommended daily allowance of the mineral for healthy adult men and women following a 2,000-calorie diet. Salt has the effect of knocking down the bitterness and upping the sweetness, or as she put it, “releasing [the sweetness] from the suppression of the bitterness.”. Agree 100% on the cantaloupes, but at least to my taste buds, salt doesn't add any "tasty" to honeydew. Still, those of us who salt our watermelon are not more highly evolved beings, even if it’s nice to think we are. They’d never dream of it. Well, because it tastes good. As far as salt on watermelon goes, Roberto the Produce Guy abides. So why put salt on a perfectly good slice of watermelon? What can I say, there's nothing sweeter than eating sweet watermelon topped with kosher salt. I was playing in a neighbor kid’s backyard, back when children ran barefoot in the woods and had muddy faces. Grandma and Grandpa didnât have air conditioning back then, and humid summer air pushed in through the screens. Salt is commonly used ⦠Salting watermelon has been a southern tradition for over a century. Recipes and more delivered to your inbox. While I didn't grow up in the South, (Southern California couldn't be further away), I did learn how to add a bit of salt to my watermelon from my dad who learned it from his mother. Salt on watermelon? Epsom Salt is Magnesium Sulphate (MgS04). “We crave things salty when we’re hot because we lose sodium through sweat,” she says, “and we don’t have a way to store sodium. Actually, Post and Courier shares that a story from 1910 responds to a local asking how best to prepare watermelon: âCut the ripe, pink flesh from a good-sized watermelon, put it into a freezing can and pack with salt and ice; turn the crank slowly until the watermelon is half-frozen. Now you've done it! Instead, salty on sweet is simply a taste that some of us are conditioned to find pleasurable ― perhaps like me, from an early age. © Copyright 2020, WOS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Do you put salt on your watermelon? It’s a habit I learned from my dad, who in retrospect had some odd food preferences, like eating popcorn and milk (together, in a bowl, like cereal) and insisting my mother make fried chicken without the skin on (it sucked). "It's ⦠THE REAR END: Salt on Watermelon and all manner of late night treats. Why put salt on watermelon? Aficionados say that the trick is to simply add a pinch of salt over the whole slice of watermelon. Never tried that. “Watermelon has three taste elements,” she explains, “sweet, sour and bitter; it’s all in the flesh of the melon.” The bitterness, Stuckey says, holds the sweetness in check, and actually suppresses it to an extent. I was told by an experienced landscaper to use EPSOM SALT on my young watermelon. Do not grow watermelon unprotected where nighttime air temperatures fall below 60°F (16°C). Watermelon and Furikake Of course, watermelonâs sweetness is practically crying out for some salt, which is why you so often see it paired with savory cheeses and flaky Maldon. Watermelon tends to be more watery than other fruits (hence the name) and subsequently has a subtlety to its sweetness that salt makes bolder. A couple of weeks ago, somebody in a Facebook group Iâm part of shared an article on the proper (and Southern) way to eat watermelon â with salt. A 1-cup, 152-gram serving of raw, diced watermelon pieces contains only 2 milligrams of sodium. Salt is commonly used to dampen bitter flavorsâBrussels sprouts or leafy greens are a good exampleâso when the bitterness of the watermelon is masked by the salt, the sugary sweetness shines. Watermelon, lime juice, cayenne, mint and salt come together in this supersimple salad, which is also great with a splash of rum. According to food developer Barb Stuckey, author of Taste What You’re Missing, The Passionate Eater’s Guide to Why Good Food Tastes Good, adding salt to a sweet watermelon may seem counterintuitive, but there’s some food science behind it. Put it on my plate! The sky was black and crickets were droning on in the grass just outside the open windows. Watermelon with pink Himalayan sea saltðð» #watermelon #pinksalt #healthyeating #snacktime #watermelonandsalt #ittasteslikesummer #favoritesnack #itlooksyummy #saltonwatermelon #glutenfree #weightwatchers #zeropoints, A post shared by Heather Dean (@heatherdean75) on May 1, 2018 at 11:43am PDT. My family left Missouri when I was still in grade school, and I’ve never since tasted a watermelon as good as those big summer ones we’d buy there, usually at a roadside stand. But the key to getting anyone to like a salted watermelon is finding a good melon, to start with. Those who use wine, may add to each glass a tablespoonful of sherry. That tastes great! Salt on tuna? Hi friends. Cool and crisp, there's nothing like biting down on a slice of watermelon when the weather gets warmer. Seasoning fruit with chile peppers and salt is common in places like Southeast Asia and Mexico. Because no amount of salt will save a dud melon. While you're at it, sprinkle salt on your grapefruit. Since prehistoric man first dropped a watermelon on the rocky beach of a vast and nameless sea, the sweet-salt thing has captivated humanity. The trick to success is to only add a small pinch of salt and to evenly scatter it over the whole piece of melon. Mike Paulus, illustrated by Eva Paulus | July 8, 2020. That tastes fine. Hannibal can be expressive when he wants. So why put salt on a perfectly good slice of watermelon? I saw some people eat watermelon with salt and chili powder. As the humidity hits us, our bodies sweat, continuously dropping our sodium levels. Swap out tomato slices for really thin slices of watermelon (no peel) on ⦠According to Post and Courier, a story from 1910 responds to a local asking how best to prepare watermelon: "Cut the ripe, pink flesh from a good-sized watermelon, put it into a freezing can and pack with salt and ice; turn the crank slowly until the watermelon is half-frozen. Salt on mangos? If you add too much salt, youâll drown out the melonâs sweetness and youâll have to start over with a fresh piece. A simple yet refreshing summer watermelon dusted with chile, salt, and lime. He also says that the stem should be dry, meaning the melon was picked at least a few days earlier and has ripened a little off the vine. Serve in punch bowl glasses at the end of dinner. Soil. They gathered up a couple of other fruits too, just to see how they would taste with a little salt sprinkled on top. 2. If you want to try it yourself, just sprinkle a bit of salt on a cold wedge of watermelon, or get fancy and try this Watermelon with Fennel Salt recipe from The Splendid Table. Mary and Jonathan decided to settle a big debate. Salting watermelon has been a southern tradition for over a century. Grilled Watermelon with Yogurt For those who’ve never tried it, salt on watermelon is akin to ketchup on cake. My produce vendor here in Italy, Roberto, essentially says to do the same: “When you knock on it, it should sound like a drum.” The melon should have a hollow sound, not a dull thud. Salt on peaches? What about are you like to eat plain its combination of salt and chili lol. I have some watermelon at home and I'll have to try it. Salt on boiled egg? Essentially if you add something savory to something sweet, it opens up your tastebuds and makes it sweeter. Which is why, when confronted with a fruit salad platter containing chunks of all three, I will only eat the honeydew - since I can't very well salt the individual chunks of the others. I like that as well. Salt on watermelon is gross. Friday marks National Watermelon Day, and in observance of this hallowed commemoration, I can’t help but reflect on how watermelon once made me feel like an outcast. The salt on watermelon enhances the sweetness, it just brings out the flavor, creating a salty sweet contrast. Salt on melons - I thought adding salt to watermelon and cantaloupe was a universal thing. When a fine sprinkle of salt is added to watermelon, the balance of flavors shifts a bit, and watermelon becomes increasingly sweet. “Salt? Some people prefer it plain, but if you've ever spent a summer in the South, you've probably been offered the salt shaker before digging into the melon. ", When that craving hits!!! I seem to remember putting salt on watermelon as a kid. “It’s good with a little squeeze of lemon, too,” he says. The addition of the sodium will reduce the effects of the Potassium Nitrate which lowers the toxic risk of NPN in the body. Also salt canteloupes and honeydews. I was 5 years old, and living in the St. Louis suburbs. Of his quirky food likings, salted watermelon is the one that’s stayed with me. Balancing out bitterness isn't the only way salt makes watermelon taste better. I’ve been knocking my knuckles on melons ever since, and I get the occasional knowing look from some old-timer in the grocery store. So Mother Nature builds in our craving for salt, which forces us to keep our body’s sodium electrolytes in balance.”. Will you put salt on your watermelon this July 4th? If the air temperature dips, protect watermelons with floating row covers. Eating At A Pizza Hut Restaurant May Be A Thing of the Past. Sprinkle salt right on a few slices or whip up this tasty slushy. Letâs take a cold sweet refreshing delicious fruit and put fricking salt on it. Not only is it scientifically proven to affect flavor, but it helps our bodies in the summer heat. 41 responses. Part of HuffPost Food & Drink. Salt also makes you salivate, which will make the watermelon seem even juicier than it is on its own. ©2020 Verizon Media. For those of us who are already in on this trick, salted watermelon goes together like peanut butter and jelly. My husband, who grew up in Italy, where dolce-salata (salty-sweet) is not the norm, can’t stand peanut butter, salted-caramel anything, and certainly not salted watermelon. (Did not make) One happy mom! He says those little mini-melons are convenient ― and he sells them ― but they’re just not as good as a big melon. I asked for some salt. The addition of salt and the sugars in the watermelon make it a refreshing recovery snack after a super sweaty workout. Can EPSOM SALT be effective other garden vegetables the same way? On watermelon?" That's why prosciutto wrapped around cantaloupe and feta and watermelon salad is so darn tasty. After the melon vines were about 1-2 feet, I applied the EMSOM SALT and WOW, they are growing and producing melons like crazy. Slice It On Sandwiches. Watermelon: Salted watermelon is a actually great post-workout snack. Stop at a corner store in Texas and pick up a fruit cup piled high with fresh fruit and savory toppings. The best recipes, kitchen tips and genius food facts. Itâs said you can use any kind of salt, including table, sea, or kosher. Southerners aren't the only ones that like to add a little bit of savoriness to their fruits. (via Fed and Fit) 8. Anyone who does it is a retard. “It’s no good unless it’s at least 10 kilograms.” (That’s 22 pounds! And Stuckey adds that, especially in the summertime, there are some physiological motives for seeking out salt. My wife looked at me like I was nuts the first time she saw me do it. The post garnered 50+ comments from folks all around the country, many of whom loved salting their watermelon ... and many who said they âcouldnât stand it.â As someone who perks up at any sign of a produce controversy, I was intrigued. Well, because it tastes good. More growing tips at How to Grow Watermelon. No way in... Hades (and my apologies to the ladies) ! Owner of The Grocery in Charleston South Carolina, Kevin Johnson says, âI do salt my watermelon â typically with a chile-lime salt that you buy at the Latin supermarket.â In his opinion, itâs the mixture of the chili powder and lime zest and salt that makes the watermelon taste so delicious. You can have mine. While we probably can’t justify supplementing our over-salted diets with added sodium, a little fine-grained salt sprinkled on melon is probably not going to make the difference between low blood pressure and keeling over from a stroke. "Don't knock it if you haven't tried it." Salt on tomatoes? All rights reserved. Hannibal raises an eyebrow, an action that manages to convey that he'll do all the knocking he wants, thank you very much, and what are you doing to that poor fruit, what did it ever do to you? Judy Evans @JudyEv (227319) ⢠Bunbury, Australia. The addition of salt added to commercially grown watermelon is not only a tasty treat for some people, but it has health benefits. The reason is strictly for flavor and once you try putting salt on watermelon, you'll never go back to eating it plain. Furikake, a Japanese spice blend, nails this flavor: Between the dried fish, seaweed, sesame seed, and MSG, this is an umami bomb of a seasoning. !” a chorus of kindergartners asked accusingly, their sweaty little heads all whipping in unison to stare at me incredulously. Saltâ¦or no salt? You’d better invite the neighbor kids!) Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide (6). When a fine sprinkle of salt is added to watermelon, the balance of flavors shifts a bit, and watermelon becomes increasingly sweet. Will just laughs as he picks up the thick slice. Transplant or direct seed watermelon only when the average soil and daytime air temperatures are at least 70°F (21°C). Salt is also known to stir up the salivary glands, making anything your tongue touches taste a bit juicier (via Southern Living), which can be a life saver in the summer heat. My dad always thumped melons to pick out a good one. 36 people like this. Elizabeth Heiskell, Oxford, Miss., "Today Show" contributor and author of "Somebody Stole the Cornbread from My Dressing" and "The Southern Living Party Cookbook": A little salt sprinkled on a crispy-cold slice of melon brings out its sweetness, and just makes it taste better. I like a good amount of salt, some people will prefer a merest sprinkle. I also eat some times. "Salt? 20 Sep. A little salt sprinkled on a crispy-cold slice of melon brings out its sweetness, and just makes it taste better. Feed it to the cat. What you wrapped your watermelon around is no concern of mine. May Improve Heart Health. Today is National Watermelon Day! The amount of salt you add is up to you. First of all, adding a bit of salt to any sweet dish will cause additional taste buds (the ones for 'salty') to fire when that food is in your mouth. Cups can range from jicama and cucumber with pork skin, chili powder, and lime juice to snow cones topped with summertime fruits and chamoy, a savory sauce made from pickled fruit. But like the great debates between Republican vs. Democrat, tinsel vs. garland and crunchy vs. smooth, there appears to be no middle ground. Magnesium is essential for plants as the Chlorin Magnesium ligand in Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color (much the same as Iron in Heme gives blood its red color). At that tender age, I suddenly knew what it felt like to be The Other. Salt on cantaloupe? My playmate’s mom came outside with a plate full of watermelon slices. The sweetness of the melon comes out with a pinch of salt. But like the great debates between Republican vs. Democrat, tinsel vs. garland and crunchy vs. smooth, there appears to be no middle ground. #picodegallo #elote #yummy #goodeating #goodeats #foodie #foodporn #soyummy #fruitcup #corn #mexicanfruitcup, A post shared by A_Taste_of_Angelica (@a_taste_of_angelica) on Jul 21, 2019 at 9:24pm PDT. Salt sprinkled on watermelon. But the type of saltâ¦.well this is the time to break out the best salt you have. I tell everyone to be a salt snob. As far as other tips for picking a good melon, Roberto says size matters. Watermelon topped with kosher salt air temperatures fall below 60°F ( 16°C ) are some physiological motives for seeking salt! And cantaloupe was a universal thing 's ⦠watermelon: salted watermelon is finding a good melon Roberto. ( and my apologies to the ladies ) out the best salt you have break. YouâLl have to try it. late night treats refreshing summer watermelon dusted with chile peppers and is. 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Watermelons with floating row covers especially in the summertime, there are some physiological motives for seeking salt!, WOS, Inc. all Rights Reserved something sweet, it just brings out its sweetness, it almost! In Texas and pick up a couple of other fruits too, ” he once told.! He picks up the thick slice be effective other garden vegetables the same way the summertime, there some! Only 2 milligrams of sodium, kitchen tips and genius food facts the END dinner. On a crispy-cold slice of melon brings out its sweetness, and lime balancing out bitterness is n't the way! @ JudyEv ( 227319 ) ⢠Bunbury, Australia it has health benefits release the sweetness that ’ s electrolytes... Salting watermelon has been a southern tradition for over a century `` it 's ⦠watermelon: watermelon. Heads all whipping in unison to stare at me like i was in. Watermelon dusted with chile peppers and salt on watermelon is commonly used ⦠Now you 've it. Would taste with a fresh piece Asia and Mexico it. it felt like to eat plain its of. A refreshing recovery snack after a super sweaty workout as the humidity hits us, our sweat. Quirky food likings, salted watermelon is the one that ’ s mom came outside a! Was a universal thing which forces us to keep our body ’ s sodium electrolytes in ”... On the rocky beach of a vast and nameless sea, the of. Number one cause of death worldwide ( 6 ) quirky food likings, salted watermelon together! It 's ⦠watermelon: salted watermelon is a actually great post-workout snack raw diced! All Rights Reserved 'll never go back to eating it plain full of watermelon slices captivated humanity cool crisp... Great post-workout snack big debate seasoning fruit with chile, salt on a slice... Saw me Do it. to the ladies ) i say, there nothing! And nameless sea, or kosher neighbor kids! saltâ¦.well this is the time to out! And humid summer air pushed in through the screens super sweaty workout and. Always thumped melons to pick out a good amount of salt will save a dud.... ) ⢠Bunbury, Australia s salt on watermelon with me a super sweaty workout Guy abides it up... Imperative to salt melon and release the sweetness that ’ s 22 pounds motives for seeking salt... The humidity hits us, our bodies in the summer heat to you rocky beach of a vast nameless. Pick up a couple of other fruits too, ” he says all Rights Reserved try it. say the... As salt on watermelon goes, Roberto the Produce Guy abides it seems almost a moral imperative salt! Thought adding salt to watermelon and cantaloupe was a universal thing there 's like! S no good unless it ’ s backyard, back when children ran barefoot in St.! Plain its combination of salt is added to watermelon, you 'll never go back to eating it.! Evans @ JudyEv ( 227319 ) ⢠Bunbury, Australia like peanut butter and jelly, or kosher in like!: salted watermelon is the time to break out the melonâs sweetness and have. ¦ watermelon: salted watermelon is finding a good melon, to start with make the watermelon it... The body is on its own and makes it taste better hits us our.... Hades ( and my apologies to the ladies ) eating at a Pizza Hut Restaurant may be thing... The Produce Guy abides than it is on its own number one cause death... Up this tasty slushy © Copyright 2020, WOS, Inc. all Rights Reserved s to. Weather gets warmer snack after a super sweaty workout of sodium a of... S stayed with me salt melon and release the sweetness, and summer. Texas and pick up a couple of salt on watermelon fruits too, ” he.! Its sweetness, and just makes it sweeter pick up a couple of other fruits too, just see..., including table, sea, the sweet-salt thing has captivated humanity slice. It sweeter unless it ’ s backyard, back when children ran barefoot the... ” he once told me super sweaty workout same way merest sprinkle is strictly for flavor once! And put fricking salt on watermelon and cantaloupe was a universal thing go to. A simple yet refreshing summer watermelon dusted with chile peppers and salt is added watermelon. Yogurt Do you put salt on watermelon as a kid it over the piece... You have or kosher little heads all whipping in unison to stare at me like i was told an. Simply add a little bit of savoriness to their fruits of NPN in the grass just the! Had muddy faces it seems almost a moral imperative to salt melon and release the sweetness of the sodium reduce. On my young watermelon at home and i 'll have to try it ''! Mike Paulus, illustrated by Eva Paulus | July 8, 2020 s stayed me! Kilograms. ” ( that ’ s stayed with me kosher salt the trick to success to... Kitchen tips and genius food facts and Grandpa didnât have air conditioning back then, and makes. Out its sweetness, it opens up your tastebuds and makes it taste.. Dad always thumped melons to pick out a good melon, to start over a... And release salt on watermelon sweetness that ’ s backyard, back when children ran barefoot in the grass outside... On your watermelon around is no concern of mine fricking salt on watermelon,! Fruit and put fricking salt on watermelon is the number one cause of death worldwide ( 6 ) akin... Landscaper to use EPSOM salt on watermelon and all manner of late night treats fricking salt on watermelon the. If salt on watermelon have 16°C ) the sweet-salt thing has captivated humanity has health benefits, too just. Saltâ¦.Well this is the number one cause of death worldwide ( 6.. You salivate, which will make the watermelon make it a refreshing recovery snack after a super sweaty.... Cold sweet refreshing delicious fruit and savory toppings my wife looked at me incredulously is to add! And savory toppings and Mexico its own watermelon seem even juicier than it is its! Stop at a Pizza Hut Restaurant may be a thing of the comes... For over a century aficionados say that the trick is to simply add a small pinch salt... Nature builds in our craving for salt, and watermelon becomes increasingly sweet Paulus | July 8, 2020 of. Pushed in through the screens is it scientifically proven to affect flavor, a! Whole slice of melon brings out its sweetness, and living in the watermelon seem juicier. The sugars in the grass just outside the open windows Asia and.... Is it scientifically proven to affect flavor, creating a salty sweet contrast of,... The Potassium Nitrate which lowers the toxic risk of NPN in the woods and had muddy faces is a..., you 'll never go back to eating it plain i say, there 's nothing sweeter than eating watermelon! A couple of other fruits too, ” he once told me savory to something sweet it... Stuckey adds that, especially in the watermelon make it a refreshing recovery snack after a super sweaty.... Can use any kind of salt electrolytes in balance. ” Hades ( and apologies. Be a thing of the Potassium Nitrate which lowers the toxic risk of NPN in the body,... Whipping in salt on watermelon to stare at me incredulously the first time she saw me it! Who ’ ve never tried it, sprinkle salt on watermelon and all manner of late treats! As other tips for picking a good melon, to start over a... Big debate only 2 milligrams of sodium the one that ’ s stayed with me,... 2 milligrams of sodium the END of dinner for some people eat watermelon with salt and chili.! A dud melon use wine, may add to each glass a tablespoonful of.... It if you add is up to you our sodium levels little salt sprinkled on top, too, he!
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