by Sam Madsen

Created on: January 23, 2009   Last Updated: January 11, 2012

Summer time is a wonderful time to be outside, with family and friends having a backyard barbeque. So what else would you expect to have at this gathering?

Something that's fun to eat, colorful and makes an attractive center piece, that you can turn into a new traditional item to serve. Just happens to be good for you too.

Watermelon of course!

This is a different way to display your fruit and incorporate other favorites in with it for a tummy pleasing all natural, good for you fruit cocktail of sorts. Kids can even join in and help after the cutting is complete. Hopefully they won't eat it all, before it is time to display your edible art work..

Nothing really hard just some cutting and scooping out to do.

What's this intriguing idea you ask?

A watermelon basket, full of all kinds of goodies.

The items needed, or that can be included are:

1 medium to large watermelon (seedless works better)

1 long bladed knife (sharp or serrated)

1 melon scoop (smaller than ice cream scoops)

Your choice of desired fruits, suggestions would be

A honeydew melon

Cantaloupe

Grapes

Strawberries

Blueberries

OK, now we have our list of needs, now let's get started creating. It really isn't that hard to cut these things, but be careful.

Pick your desired size of watermelon. One that isn't so round it will not sit still.

First, you are going to decide how thick to cut the handle, in the middle of the watermelon.

Next make your first cut, across from where the handle will be on both sides to set a guide.

Now cut down to the middle and around both ends.

You should now have two big halves, with a handle left in the middle and cut down to the middle.

Any notable seeds, pick them out and start to scoop out the little balls of the watermelon.

Continue doing this downwards and around the sides, until you see the color starting to fade. You will want to use only the red sweet part.

After you have all of them set aside, you can clean your other fruits if need be, then add them individually into the watermelon basket.

This will create a colorful, eye pleasing and mouth-watering afternoon treat.

Have tooth picks on hand for picking out your favorites first. Enjoy!

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