HOW TO CARVE: A WATERMELON TIKI MASK

Can I tell you how happy I am that the bin of full-sized watermelon has returned to my local grocery store? It’s been there for about two months, and the return of the watermelon bin means the return of watermelon carving.

I had a great time carving watermelons for entries on the blog last year and last month’s hippo was the perfect transition back into carving season. It was fun and light hearted, and it wasn’t all that difficult. Now it’s time for something a little more challenging – the watermelon tiki mask.

MATERIALS NEEDED

1 oblong seedless watermelon
Pencil or green dry erase marker
Melon baller
Paring and kitchen knives
Spoon
Channel knife
Toothpick

Start by thoroughly washing and drying your watermelon. Get used to this step, because you’ll see it in every watermelon-carving entry this summer.

Slice about ¼ inch off the bottom of the watermelon to provide a stable base. Then draw the tiki face using a dry erase marker. Next, cut out the eyes and the rough shape of the mouth (you’ll cut the teeth later) and scoop out some of the red flesh inside to create a good-sized cavity. You’ll also use a melon baller to scoop out the nostrils. Your small paring knife can be used to clean up any rough edges in the nostrils, eyes and mouth. Next, cut the individual teeth using the paring knife.

Finally, use a piece removed from the mouth to create a “bone” decoration for the top of the head and attach with a toothpick. After your watermelon rind bone is attached, your tiki mask is complete!