My husband and I can have some pretty spirited debates about how certain foods should be served. There was the Great Hushpuppy Debate of 2004, when he was unable to convince me that savory onion-laced hushpuppiers are better than the sweet corn-flecked ones I love. And ketchup on hushpuppies instead of butter? Travesty.
We remain at an impasse over Eastern-style and Lexington-style North Carolina barbecue, but I think we all know who’s right there. For the sake of a happy marriage, I have compromised on the ketchup refrigeration issue, but I’m unwilling to budge on my chewy-is-better-than-crispy bacon stance.

Which brings us to our latest debate — the best way to eat watermelon.
The short answer is outside on a hot summer day with the juice dripping down your chin. And it better be a wedge so big you have to hold it with two hands. And don’t you dare pick out the seeds because you have to spit them across the yard farther than your brothers or your cousins or your parents can.
On that, my husband and I agree.
But he says I’m crazy for putting salt on watermelon.

And I think he’s crazy for not. If you haven’t tried salt on a watermelon — and I didn’t realize how many people had never even heard of the concept until I asked the question on my Facebook page — grab a slice and the shaker and sprinkle a bit on.
The salt intensifies the flavor of the melon. I think it makes it even more sweet, and just …better. The same way a salt-rimmed glass enhances a margarita.
Try it, and tell me what you think.
All this debate about whether to salt got me wondering about all the other ways people serve and eat watermelon — ways we’ve never tried or even imagined.

And boy did I find a lot of inventive watermelon recipes — savory, sweet and spiked.
Should we make it our collective goal to try all these delicious watermelon recipes this summer?
Watermelon Drink Dispenser from Eclectically Vintage

Watermelon Feta Balsamic Pizzas from Skinnytaste

Watermelon & Lemonade Martini from Premeditated Leftovers

Watermelon Mint Salsa from Gimme Some Oven

Watermelon White Wine Spritzer from The Cookie Rookie

Homemade Watermelon BBQ Sauce from Yummy Healthy Easy

Watermelon Rind Pickles from Atta Girl Says

Watermelon Infused Tequila from Sidewalk Shoes

Cilantro Lime Grilled Watermelon from The Stay At Home Chef

Compressed Watermelon Salad with Creamy Lemon-Lime Avocado from Cooking on the Weekends

Watermelon Mint Julep from How Sweet Eats

Spicy Harissa Shrimp and Watermelon Bites from Rhubarbarians

Watermelon Lemonade from DrinkedIn

Watermelon Chili Salt Amuse Bouche from The Viet Vegan

Watermelon Fruit Pizza from Six Sisters Stuff

Watermelon Tequila Pops from The Little Epicurean
Watermelon Cups with Cranberry Marscapone from Cravings of a Lunatic
Watermelon Caprese with Balsamic Glaze from Skinnytaste

Watermelon Lime Frosty from My Life in Food

Watermelon Lime Sorbet Slices from Food For My Family

Grilled Watermelon & Balsamic Chicken from The Creative Bite

Watermelon Slushies from Cranky Puppy Farm

Watermelon Coconut Fruit Ice Cubes from Raising Whasians

Watermelon Feta Blackberry Skewers from A Healthy Life for Me

Watermelon Milkshake from Recipes to Nourish

Chilled Watermelon & Goat Cheese Salad from Kevin is Cooking

Watermelon Granita from Wine & Glue

Minty Watermelon Cucumber Margaritas from Half Baked Harvest

Salted Watermelon Freezer Pops from Parenting Chaos

Bacon-Wrapped Watermelon Bites from Foxes Love Lemons

Watermelon Moscow Mule from HGTV



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