How to Cut Fruit Centerpieces

A fresh fruit centerpiece is one way to dress a table for special occasions. Rather than filling a bowl with fruit, make a decorative fruit display by carving a watermelon into a basket and filling it with loose fruits, melon balls and other fruit staked on skewers. Plan to cut fruit centerpieces either the day of the event or the day before when your fruit is the freshest.

Things You'll Need

• Large watermelon
• Plate or platter
• Large knife
• Melon baller
• Bowls
• Fresh berries
• Grapes
• Pineapple or other melons
• Skewers

Instructions

1. Set the watermelon on a plate or platter where it will be supported and the juices won't spill onto your counter or table. Adjust the watermelon as needed so it rests solidly on one side and won't roll.

2. Cut across the length of the watermelon horizontally to remove the top third and leave two-thirds as the base for your centerpiece. Scoop the fruit from inside the watermelon, both the base and removed top, with a melon baller and place the balls into a bowl.

3. Cut V shapes into the edge of the watermelon base, making each side of the V shapes roughly 1 inch long until the entire edge of the base has a zigzag pattern carved into it.

4. Slip strawberries, grapes, melon balls or slices of pineapple, cantaloupe or honeydew cut into interesting shapes such as stars, crescents or hearts onto wooden skewers. Leave the bottom 3 to 4 inches of each skewer bare.

5. Push the bare ends of the skewers into the rind starting in the center of the watermelon base. Place the tallest skewer in the center and work outwards with shorter skewers to create a spray or fanning of fruit. Continue until you have a half to two-thirds of the watermelon base filled with skewers of fruit.

6. Fill in the remaining open spaces along the outer edges of the watermelon with a mix of melon balls, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries or other fruit as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Add in any banana or apple slices, if desired, just before the centerpiece is needed to avoid displaying browned fruits.

• Add more decoration to the watermelon base by carving decorative designs into the rind with a peeler or paring knife, removing only the green surface.

References

• "The Very Best Wedding Planner"; Alex Lluch, Elizabeth Lluch; 2011
• "The Art of Table Decoration"; Jane Cornell; 1980