Watermelon is simply a refreshing summer treat. If you’re a fan of watermelon, you’ll know that it’s a fruit that’s enjoyed all year round. In fact, there are many different ways that you can enjoy it, from savoring a slice of fresh melon or making a tasty watermelon juice.

But did you know that watermelon has its own national day? Yes, that's right. August 3rd is National Watermelon Day!

In this blog post, we'll share with you how to celebrate Watermelon Day and some recipes to try out for this special day.

How To Celebrate National Watermelon Day

1. Learn how to pick a ripe watermelon - picking the perfect watermelon takes practice. When you are at the market, keep an eye out for the ones that have a golden glow around the stem. These are the best for eating. They are also likely to have thick, smooth skin that will be easy to slice.

You have to watch for irregular bumps. A nice watermelon has a regular oval or round shape, with no misshapen areas. Pick a watermelon that is also heavy for its size. Usually, this means it's sweeter and has more water content. 

For the color, pick one that is dark and dull. You don't want a watermelon that has shiny, light-green skin because it can be underripe. 

2. Have a picnic - As summer's ultimate thirst-quenching fruit, watermelon is the perfect choice for picnics. Watermelons don't just look great on the table during summer picnics; they taste great too.

3. Create some tasty treats - A watermelon is perfect on its own, but you can take its deliciousness to the next level by using it in recipes.

Watermelon can be eaten in a wide variety of ways. Here are five recipes to help you celebrate Watermelon Day by creating delicious watermelon dishes that will impress your family and friends.

5 Best Recipes To Make This Watermelon Day

1. Watermelon Dill Pickles by watermelon.org - For sure, you've never had pickles like this before!

Dill is an aromatic herb used in cooking salads and condiments. It is believed to have been used since ancient times. For this recipe, you'll use the following:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. watermelon rind, trimmed
• 8 sprigs fresh dill, stem and sprigs
• 4 Fl oz. water
• 3 tsp. salt
• 3 tbsp. sugar
• 12 Fl oz. apple cider vinegar
• 2 Fl oz. rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp. fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. dried dill
• 2 tbsp. tri colored peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• 1/4 tsp. cumin

Instructions:

• Clean the watermelon, cut it in half, remove the skin, and then cut into thin strips or ribbons.
• Add fresh dill and rind to a non-reactive container and cover with hot water, salt, sugar, vinegars, garlic, dried dill, peppercorns, coriander, red pepper flakes and cumin.
• Stir well and let set for 20 minutes.
• Pour the hot liquid mixture over the rind and let set for two weeks.
• After two weeks, gently agitate the mixture every two days to disperse the flavor and taste it to make sure you have the right flavor profile.
• After week 1, pickle for another week if the rind isn't crisp enough. If it's too crispy, let it sit longer to soften.
• After week 2, the rind will be slightly crisp, have a pink color to the rind, and a bold flavor.

2. Watermelon Salad by A Couple Cooks - Refreshing, tasty, and filling -- that's how we can describe this recipe! It pairs sweet watermelon with feta cheese, fresh basil, and lemon zest, so it has an amazingly refreshing taste. Being a salad, it's also low in calories while making you feel full and satisfied.

Ingredients: 

• Ripe watermelon
• Feta cheese crumbles
• Baby or English cucumber
• Fresh basil
• Lemon

Instructions: 

• Chop the ingredients and throw them together on a platter. Easy peasy!

3. Watermelon Juice Recipe by Cookie and Kate - If you're looking for a drink that's delicious, refreshing, and easy to make, this is the perfect juice recipe for you. This recipe combines the flavors of watermelon and lime, so it's a healthy drink that tastes amazing! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 small sweet watermelon (a 6 pounder will do)
• 1 small lime, juiced (optional)

Instructions: 

• To make watermelon juice, simply cut the watermelon in half, scoop out chunks, and blend until smooth.
• Add a squeeze of lime juice for extra flavor. The juice will last in the fridge for up to 4 days.

4. 5-Minute, Easy Watermelon Sorbet by Oh, The Things We'll Market - If you love sorbet, you'll adore this light, healthy version that's as quick and easy as it is tasty. Watermelon sorbet is refreshing and delicious, and it’s healthy too, since it’s packed with vitamins C and A, fiber, and potassium. 

So if you want to make a delicious, nutritious treat that’s easy to put together, this is the one to try.

Ingredients: 

• Watermelon
• Lime juice

Instructions:

• Add cubes of frozen watermelon to a bowl and blend in a little lime juice.
• If the mixture is too dry, add more juice until you reach the desired texture.
• Enjoy this refreshing and sweet treat!

5. Grilled Watermelon by Southern Living - Grilling a watermelon might sound strange, but that's until you taste it. After you slice this sweet summer fruit into bite-size pieces, place them over direct heat and let the melon char slightly.

Ingredients: 

• 1 small (about 4 lb.) seedless watermelon
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Optional toppings: lime zest, Tajín, and/or chili powder

Instructions: 

• First, trim 1/2 inch from both ends of the watermelon. Stand up the watermelon on one cut end, and then cut lengthwise into quarters. Cut each quarter into 1-inch slices.
• Next, sprinkle the slices evenly with sugar and salt. Then, heat a gas grill to high (450ºF to 500°F). Place the watermelon slices on oiled grates and grill, uncovered, until grill marks appear, about 3 minutes per side.
• Serve the grilled watermelon with desired toppings, such as whipped cream or diced raspberries.

Conclusion

This National Watermelon Day, make sure to enjoy yourself, relax, and eat lots of watermelons!