BETSY B. WRITES: I am sooooo sad that there are no watermelons in the grocery store now. I have an addiction to the sweet fruit. Has anyone ever tried freezing it ? If so, how would you do it ? I have to know. Also, are there sources where you can go to buy watermelons out of season?
And you thought Halloween was the scariest time of year. No, Betsy, the most frightful time of year for watermelon lovers is in … the winter! Muh, hah, hah, hah, hah!
I’m not sure why I’m doing the evil guy laugh, since I’m in the same scary boat as you, but let’s move on by breaking your question down into a few parts. First, the first part (because it’s first). Contrary to popular belief, there are still watermelons in grocery stores throughout the fall and winter. Sure, they’re not sold front-and-center in giant cardboard bins like they were only a few glorious months ago, but if you look hard enough, you’ll find them.
Now to the last part of your question, where you asked about out-of-season watermelon sources. Like I said, you should be able to get your fix at your local grocery store. If you don’t immediately see watermelon when you enter the produce aisle, don’t panic. Flag down a grocery employee or the produce manager (they’ll probably rush to your aid when they see you frantically pacing back and forth next to the rutabagas) and ask if they have some watermelon. If they don’t, calmly ask where in town you might be able find some.
The middle part of your question – about freezing watermelon in an effort to survive the three-month watermelon apocalypse known as winter – gives us the most food for thought. The good news, as we just discussed, is that it’s not actually an apocalypse. But if you’re still interested in freezing watermelon, I ran your idea by the folks at the National Watermelon Promotion Board, and here’s what they had to say about freezing watermelons whole or in chunks: “A watermelon is 92 percent water, so it will definitely freeze, but the defrosting process will ruin the taste, texture, sweetness and consistency.”
So “Operation Subzero” is a no-go, but that only applies to whole or chunked watermelon. I’ve heard of people who freeze it in cubes to use as ice in drinks or to puree later in various smoothies and beverages, but if the freezing process affects the watermelon taste and sweetness, that may or may not be a good idea.
Again, this might be a good “teachable moment” for the produce manager at your local grocery store. When you talk to him or her about where to find watermelon in the winter, run the watermelon freezing question by him and see what he says. Also, if you’d like more info about off-season watermelon consumption, check out this National Watermelon Promotion Board press release and this document with tips for getting watermelon during the winter months.
Good luck, and remember – the start of spring is only 112 days away!
View Comments (6)
Winter is definitely the worst because there is no watermelon. However, my day was made about a week ago when I went to a holiday party and there was a fruit bowl WITH WATERMELON! It wasn’t the best I’ve ever had, but it also wasn’t the worst and when it’s been MIA for months, I’m not complaining!
I love watermelon any time of year! If it’s not the sweetest, then into a smoothie or salad it goes! It’s my go to snack during the holidays.
Great idea, Stephanie! Watermelon smoothies are definitely something I’ve been meaning to make more of.
I freeze watermelon alot in containers and eat the cubes semi-frozen. It’s like eating a fruit pop. Great for dieters for the fiber and because of the semifrozen state you eat it slower,therefore not as much.
Frozen watermelon is delicious, I’m eating some right now. Roughly mashed with juice, then frozen in a plastic container. It’s very sweet and lovely, like water ice. I’d rather eat that in the winter than imported out of season melons.
I about fell out of my chair laughing when you made the comment about the 3 month watermelon apocalypse known as winter. I don’t know where you live that winter is only three months long but where I live in Minnesota it typically runs 5 months long.