Why Save Watermelon Rinds?

My last post "Savory Watermelon Rind Pancakes" was a cumulation of rather unorthodox cooking practices-- from the fusion of traditionally sweet and savory dishes to, most evidently, cooking with compost. Many would slander the unconventionalities of such, yet it doesn't have to be this way! There are many reasons for cooking with watermelon rinds (as well as other forms of produce scraps) on the grounds of not only your personal avails, but also for the sake of our beautiful terrain here on Earth.

1. Nutrition 

Watermelon rinds are ultimately a reservoir of valuable, healthful nutrients, harboring vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Permeated with vitamins A, B, C, and E, studies have shown the efficacy of watermelon rinds in strengthening vision, skin health, normal appetite, and even managing healthy cholesterol levels. Watermelon rinds also foster a myriad of beneficial minerals including calcium, iron, and magnesium, aiding in bone strength, improving blood pressure and thusly serving as a potential dietary staple for those at risk of hypertension. Vitamins and minerals aside, watermelon rinds are also extraordinarily rich in phytochemicals, including lycopene, also known to combat inflammation and other diseases-- cancers alike. The (healthy) icing on top comes in the form of cirtulline, a non-protein amino acid that has been professed to relax muscle contracts and hence, support athletic performance. [1] With the recent demand in these nutrient extracts from the nutraceutical market, little did you know you could easily reap all these benefits from the scraps you've been throwing away!

2. Versatility

Watermelon rinds are extraordinarily versatile in their form, being able to adapt to whichever dish, beverage, or snack you prefer! The crunchiness of each cut can easily stand in lieu of a soft, chewy texture with the right amount of added heat and/or water. The faint flavors of sweet, fresh watermelon linger in each crunch, yet are humbling enough to not overwhelm whichever extracts, spices, or seasonings they alight upon.

Here are just a few ideas for you to incorporate watermelon rinds into your diet:

• Savory Watermelon Rind Pancakes
• Pickled Watermelon Rinds
• Vegetable and Watermelon Rind Stir Fry
• Tossed Watermelon Rind Salad
• Watermelon Rind Tikka Masala
• Strawberry and Watermelon Rind Smoothie
• Honey Lemon Watermelon Rind Tea
• Dried Watermelon Fruit Leathers

Although I have not posted recipes to each and every listing, referencing to my previous example post in preparing watermelon rinds, you can unleash your inner creative self and whip up the craziest, most satisfying dishes with these ideas and templates!

3. Environment

Reusing watermelon rinds, or any produce scraps on the whole, reduces the need to occupy the already brimming landfills, which would otherwise produce unneeded greenhouse gases via the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. With the dwindling state of health in mother nature, we must mobilize our efforts together to prevent further detriment. Perhaps one of the most convenient actions anyone can take is composting, by which your garden can flourish and organisms can thrive in a rich, bountiful ecosystem. And if you're not already composting your watermelon rinds, may as well eat them!

From a broader view, almost all produce scraps, not limited to watermelon rinds alone, can conveniently be reserved and reused for re-consumption. Taking for example orange peels, a cistern of vitamin C: unconsumed scraps can easily be stored and steeped into a soothing, healthful tonic-- a probable need amid the sprawling of Covid-19. Avocado peels can even be reserved and infused in but again another healthful beverage. There are so many different ways you can make the most out of the money you spent on your groceries, and ultimately serve you well, alongside the planet.

The maxim this post is ultimately conveying is: stop misusing. Stop wasting. Learn to count your blessings in the scraps beneath your eyes. And drink watermelon rind tea.

Citation(s):

Makaepea M. Maoto, Daniso Beswa & Afam I. O. Jideani (2019) Watermelon as a potential fruit snack, International Journal of Food Properties, 22:1, 355-370, DOI: 10.1080/10942912.2019.1584212