Thai Watermelon Carving Instructions

The watermelon is carved with a thin carving knife.

Cut and shape a watermelon into an attractive sculpture using the ancient tradition of Thai watermelon carving. A small knife is used to carve intricate designs, such as flowers, petals and hearts onto the watermelon rind and flesh. A carved watermelon makes an impressive centerpiece for a dinner party or buffet. Once you master the Thai watermelon carving technique you can use it to carve other fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, carrots and apples.

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Thin carving knife
Large chef's knife

Instructions

- 1
  
  Carve a small circle into the top of the watermelon with the carving knife. Cut off the circle with the chef's knife.
- 2
  
  Cut the watermelon rind off by using long thin downward strokes over the melon rind. Leave several inches of rind around the bottom side of the watermelon. Repeat this technique until only white flesh is visible.
- 3
  
  Carve the outline of a small circle into the top of the watermelon with the carving knife. Dig the carving knife into the circle to make the cut deeper.
- 4
  
  Carve out a small heart-shaped petal coming out of the edge of the carved circle. Carve away enough white flesh until you see some of the pink flesh coming through. Repeat this technique to create a ring of heart-shaped petals around the top circle.
- 5
  
  Continue this pattern directly underneath the first circle of petals, carving each layer of petals slightly larger than the last. Repeat until you have five layers of petals.
- 6
  
  Carve out several large triangular shapes, with the carving knife, below the last row of petals. Use the carving to to create serrated edges around the triangles.
- 7
  
  Carve small, curved strokes inside the triangles to give the appearance of petals. Repeat this technique below the triangles until you get to the top of the green rind.
- 8
  
  Cut out small, curved pieces of watermelon in the top circle to create rose petals.