John Myers
Watermelons are a fruit vegetable from the pumpkin family (Cucurbitaceae). The individual fruits are about the size of a basketball and can weigh up to three kilograms. With a water content of up to 95 percent, they are a wonderful thirst quencher on hot summer days. In addition, watermelons are low in sugar and are a sweet, low-calorie, and healthy alternative to ice cream or sodas. Watermelon will keep for two to three months in the freezer. It is best to freeze them in halves immediately after purchase when the fruit is still fresh and aromatic. If you want to freeze watermelons that have already been cut, you should do so on the same day if possible. The fruit can be kept in the fridge for two to three days, but germs and bacteria quickly thrive on the interfaces. Therefore, you should always wrap watermelon pieces in cling film as soon as possible.
What happens when you freeze watermelon?
Freezing a piece of watermelon is not particularly recommended, because it changes its consistency after the frost. Unlike asparagus, for example, which also has very high water content, the flesh of the watermelon becomes soft and mushy after thawing. This is due to the unstable cell structure of the pulp. Nevertheless, you can freeze watermelon if the consistency is less important for further use than the refreshing taste. Frozen melon is wonderful in smoothies or sorbets and replaces conventional ice cubes in refreshing cocktails.
How to freeze watermelon?
Watermelon can be stored in the freezer for two to three months. It is best to always process the melon in the same way to prevent germ growth. Cut the melon without skin and seeds into slices or cubes and put them in portions in freezer bags or containers suitable for freezing. Caution: The flesh will become soft after defrosting! Alternatively, you can puree the pulp before freezing and use it later as a sorbet or smoothie.
Freezing watermelon: how does it work?
To store watermelon in the freezer, first, remove the flesh from the skin and remove the seeds. The melon is then divided into slices or cubes and placed in portions in freezer bags or in containers suitable for freezing. So that melon pieces are not crushed in the bag, it is best to place them in an empty freezer compartment or on top of other frozen goods. Alternatively, you can puree the fruit before freezing. Another simple and decorative method is to make ice cubes out of melons. To do this, cut the fruit in half, use an ice cream scoop to form balls out of the flesh, and freeze them in several portions.
Tip: Try frozen melon on a stick! To do this, cut the watermelon into slices, cut them into eighths, and insert a wooden or plastic stick into the bowl. The triangles are then placed in the freezer for a few hours – the refreshing fruit ice cream snack is ready.
How long does a whole watermelon last in the fridge?
All in all, freshly bought watermelons can be stored in the fridge for about three weeks. Even stored at a cool room temperature, the fruit will keep for up to two weeks. Tip: If you don’t have space in the freezer, simply use the leftover melon to make hearty dishes. There is a whole range of recommended recipes with a hearty, fruity note. How about, for example, melon and tomato salad, watermelon salad with feta, or grilled watermelon?
