National Watermelon Day

national watermelon day, with watermelons and watermelon slices
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Grab a Slice and Celebrate!

Written By: Sarah Perreault Managing Editor

This is one of our favorite summer holidays! Watermelon is the perfect treat for a hot day. Here are tips for picking the best watermelon, plus a few tasty melon recipes!

August 3 is National Watermelon Day!

To quote Mark Twain, “When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat.” This American literary hero understood the serious deliciousness of this magical fruit (vegetable?), and, hopefully, on this beautiful day, you do, too.

It’s so refreshing and delicious, there’s a whole day devoted to it. See below for how best to prepare watermelon in our tips below.

national watermelon day

Picking the Perfect Watermelon

  • Look for symmetrical round, oval, or oblong melons with a buttery yellow underbelly.
  • When a melon is picked up, it should feel heavy for its size.
  • Avoid melons with soft spots or bruises.

See more tips on telling when a watermelon is ripe (as well as other fruits and vegetables).

And here’s how to grow your own watermelon! Homegrown is often juicer and more flavorful than many grocery store types.

how to pick a watermelon

Watermelon Recipes

This minty Watermelon Cucumber Salad is a light, fresh, and cool salad that can be enjoyed anytime. Crumbled feta cheese is optional but we think it works with watermelon!

watermelon-salad-shutterstock_186240155_1.jpg

To get you through the hottest part of midday day, cool off with this classic Watermelon Punch.

watermelon punch

Try this Watermelon Basket With Honey Lime Dressing, a zesty spin on a traditional fruit salad

watermelon basket

For dinner, marinate your chicken, pork, fish, or shellfish with this yummy Watermelon Barbeque Marinade.

watermelon marinade

Finally, save up your rinds and make pickled watermelon rinds for unconventional, yet refreshing, morsels. 

About The Author
Sarah Perreault

Sarah Perreault

Managing Editor

Managing Editor Sarah Perreault joined The Old Farmer’s Almanac in 2003. She has tons of quirky and little-known facts crammed into that brain of hers, which may be thought useless elsewhere—but not h...