How to Carve a Watermelon Into a Pirate Ship

Juicy watermelons are the perfect medium for a pirate boat sculpture.

Fresh watermelons have an ideal shape for creating a miniature boat. Though your watermelon ship probably won't sail, it will make waves as a stunning centerpiece for any occasion. Pirate themed events will be especially enhanced by this engaging decoration. Fill your melon ship with colorful fruit salad for a piece of decor that doubles as an appetizing side dish. To add to the presentation of this piece, consider positioning the boat on an ocean blue tablecloth or propping a poster of a beach up against the wall behind your banquet table.

Things You'll Need

• Watermelon
• Knife
• Melon baller
• Wooden skewers
• Fruit salad

Instructions

1. Cut a very thin layer of rind off of one side of the watermelon so it will sit flat on your work surface. Do not cut deep enough to hit the flesh of the melon.

2. Slice the opposite side of the watermelon completely off at a point just above the center of the melon.

3. Remove the flesh of the watermelon from both the boat and the top piece with a melon baller and set aside.

4. Carve the top piece of the rind into one or more sails. For a single, large sail cut the piece into a square shape with the sides bowed slightly inward. For several smaller sails, cut the rind into two or three triangular shapes. Shape the sails so the natural outward bowing of the rind occurs in the center of each sail. This will give the appearance of sails billowing out in the wind.

5. Pierce each sail with a long wooden skewer. The skewer should pass through the sail at the top and bottom with the center bowing outward away from the skewer. Depending on the size and shape of the melon, you may need to bend the rind slightly to get this effect.

6. Secure the sail to the ship by sticking the wooden skewer "mast" into the bottom of the watermelon boat. Fill the boat with fruit salad to further support the mast.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a knife or toothpick to scratch a design into the green rind of the sails, such as a skull and crossbones or the name of the guest of honor.

References

• National Watermelon Promotion Board: This Ship
• Taste of Home: Watermelon Boat Recipe