Believed to be domesticated first in West Africa, the watermelon has a significant history as it pertains to African American foodways. While most people associate watermelon with derogatory images of black people consuming it in unappealing ways, several black food enthusiasts have reclaimed it. From Bryant Terry’s “Zero-Waste” chapter to the Darden’s “Watermelon Cake,” many people have found new ways to re-define watermelon and its relation to the black community by turning the negative stereotypes on their heads and promoting the melon’s nutritious value. Thus, while watermelon has and continues to have a complex position within African American foodways, its existence has found itself in the midst of a culinary resurrection.



The History Makers Featured Audio Clip:          This is a clip of Noel Don Wycliff, Editor and Newspaper Columnist, on his favorite food.



HEALTHY RECIPE FOR WATERMELON

 

Watermelon is already healthy but to enhance the flavors, we think you should check out our recipe below for watermelon sorbet which is from eatingwell.com



Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup water
6 cups watermelon chunks, (4-pound watermelon), seeded
2 tablespoons lime juice



Instructions

Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, about 45 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
Place watermelon and lime juice in a food processor; process until smooth. Set a sieve over a large bowl and press the puree through to remove tiny seeds. Whisk in the sugar syrup.
Pour the watermelon mixture into a shallow metal pan and freeze until ice crystals form around the edges, about 30 minutes. Stir the ice crystals into the center of the pan and return to the freezer; repeat every 20 minutes until all the liquid is frozen.
Serve immediately or transfer to a storage container and let harden in the freezer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Serve in chilled dishes.

*Best if let freeze for 2 days*



Nutritional Information

Per serving: 56 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 14 g carbohydrates; 0 g protein; 0 g fiber; 1 mg sodium; 88 mg potassium.



Here is a YouTube Video showing a demonstration for cooking a variation of the recipe supplied above. ENJOY!



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