Watermelon Recipe Contest Winners Use the Whole Watermelon

Press Release

Winter Springs, FL (August 29, 2017) – With more than 125 entries, National Watermelon Promotion Board’s (NWPB) first-ever consumer recipe contest held during National Watermelon Month (July) wrapped up with sweet results.

The contest, themed “Use the Whole Watermelon,” challenged home cooks and chefs alike to think beyond the basic wedge. Categories included Flesh, Juice and Rind as a way to spotlight that every part of the watermelon can be used to create delicious dishes and beverages.

“Everyone loves biting into a sweet slice of watermelon – but many don’t know the rind is edible, or to use up extra watermelon in juices and smoothies,” said Stephanie Barlow, Senior Director of Communications. “Using the whole watermelon means less waste – and more fun in the kitchen!”

Entries ranged from “Rind Apple Pie” to “Golden Watermelon Gazpacho” – and with more than 25 percent of entries made up of rind recipes, it looks like home cooks are on board with the use-the-whole-watermelon trend.

The 2017 Use the Whole Watermelon winners are as follows:

Grand Prize
Watermelon Rind Kimchi Burger by Shauna Havey (Roy, Utah)

Flesh
Zesty Watermelon Chicken Salad Tortilla Cups by Shannon Kohn (Simpsonville, S.C.)

Juice
Lime-Mint Watermelon Granita with No-Churn Feta Ice Cream by Carmell Childs (Clawson, Utah)

Rind
Roasted Watermelon Rind Parmesan by Helen Fields (Paradise, Texas)

Honorable Mentions include:

Carne Guisada (Rind) by Greg Fontenot (The Woodlands, Texas)
Julienned Watermelon Rind Quiche (Rind) by Candy Barnhart (Makawao, Hawaii)
Lemon Basil Crunch Watermelon Custard (Flesh) by Juliana Evans (Wesley Chapek, Fla.)
Watermelon Jam (Juice) by Cheryl Holsapfel (Garrettsville, Ohio)

All the winning and honorable mentioned recipes will be added to the NWPB permanent collection on Watermelon.org. Look for the contest recipes, along with the release of new Watermelon Board recipes, in early 2018.

Download This Release

About National Watermelon Promotion Board

The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 700 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

A serving of nutrient-dense watermelon provides an excellent source of Vitamin C (25% DV), a source of Vitamin B6 (8% DV), and a delicious way to stay hydrated (92% water), with only 80 calories per 2-cup serving. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was nearly 15.5 pounds in 2022. Watermelon consumption in the United States was nearly 5.2 billion pounds in 2022. The United States exported an additional 328 million pounds of watermelon. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.

Comments

Recent Press Releases

Key Shopper Behaviors Drive Growth of Watermelon Category

The U.S. watermelon category has experienced strong growth over the last year, with households across the country making an estimated $2.7 billion in fresh watermelon purchases.

Read More
Watermelon for All: NWPB Keeps Marine Corps Marathon Hydrated for the 11th Year

National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) participated in the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) for the 11th consecutive year. Known as “The People’s Marathon,” the MCM is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of October and stands out as the largest marathon worldwide that does not offer prize money. Instead, it champions a spirited community experience, highlighted by the distribution of refreshing watermelon. This year, 16 pallets of fresh watermelon were enjoyed by participants and supporters from every U.S. state and numerous countries at the Finisher’s Festival, celebrating their marathon achievements.

Read More
National Watermelon Promotion Board Announces Winners of 2024 Retail Merchandising Contest, Highlighting Creativity and Consumer Engagement

National Watermelon Promotion Board has named the winners of
its annual Retail Merchandising Contest, including Grand Prize Winner, Gelson’s Market #23.

Read More