National Watermelon Day: Celebrate with 6 recipes

1/6

Right now, you can find a pretty watermelon aguas frescas laced with lime.
Recipe: Agua fresca with watermelon and lime
(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

2/6

Cubed watermelon is combined with feta, mint a little jalapeno and a cumin-lime dressing.
Recipe: Watermelon salad
(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Tomato and watermelon salad from The Hungry Cat

3/6

Take everything you love about summer and arrange it beautifully on a plate.
Recipe: Tomato and watermelon salad
(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

4/6

This refreshing dish contains only 5 ingredients.
Recipe: Watermelon with mint and lime
(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

5/6

A sweet treat.
Recipe: Watermelon preserves
(Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

6/6

From chef Alan Ashkinaze. He serves this as an amuse, but it also makes a terrific cocktail or even dessert.
Recipe: Watermelon blueberry soup
(Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

By Noelle Carter

Aug. 3, 2013 7:30 AM PT

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National Watermelon Day 2013? That’s today. And we have 6 cool ways to help you celebrate on a hot summer day.

Maybe you’re looking for a chilled salad with watermelon and feta cheese, or perhaps soup with pureed watermelon, peaches and blueberries. Or maybe you simply want to toss cubed watermelon bites with a touch of mint and lime to brighten the flavors. Perhaps you’re craving candied watermelon....

We even have a refresing agua fresca -- fresh watermelon and lime juice sweetened with a touch of agave nectar is a perfect way to forget the summer heat.

Watermelon agua fresca

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: Makes 2 1/2 quarts

Note: Agave nectar is available at most well-stocked supermarkets.

1 medium seedless watermelon, rind removed and cut into medium pieces (about 6 pounds)

2 tablespoons agave nectar

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)

Sea salt

1. In a blender, purée the watermelon with 4 cups of water and the agave nectar, in batches.

2. Strain through a coarse strainer or mesh sieve, discarding any solids. Stir in the lime juice and a generous pinch of sea salt.

3. Adjust the seasoning and consistency to taste: agave nectar for sweetness, lime juice for tartness, sea salt to enhance flavor, and water to thin. Serve over ice. Garnish each glass with a slice of lime, if desired. This will keep for 2 days, refrigerated.

Each 8-ounce serving: 57 calories; 1 gram protein; 15 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 0 fat; 0 saturated fat; 0 cholesterol; 7 mg. sodium.