How to Carve Watermelon Into a Crown

Watermelon can be seedless, which makes these small, round melons, or with seeds, which produces the longer cylindrical melons.

Watermelon carving is a fun way to spend a summer party. It is also a great way to decorate a fruit bowl, a dessert table or a breakfast table. Watermelon carving is similar to pumpkin carving, except that watermelon rind is a little bit easier to cut. Carving a watermelon is an art, but anyone can learn how to do it.

Things You'll Need

• Watermelon
• Large cutting board
• Large butcher knife
• Plastic wrap
• Large plastic zip-top bag
• Permanent marker
• Small sharp knife, like a utility or carving knife

Instructions

1. Lay the watermelon lengthwise, with the ends facing away from you. Using the butcher knife, cut the watermelon in half.

2. 

   This is what your slice should look like.

   On either half of the watermelon, cut a slice, about 2 inches from the cut you just made. You should have a perfectly round slice of watermelon that is about 2 inches thick.

   Place plastic wrap over the cut ends of the two halves of watermelon, and store these in the refrigerator.

3. Lay the slice flat on the cutting board. There will be be the red meat of the watermelon in the center, which will fade to pink at the edge where the rind begins. On the outside will be the green skin. Cut around the inside of the rind, where the meat starts to turn pink, in a circle. Lift the rind up, leaving behind the meat of the melon. Store the meat inside the large zip-top bag.

4. Using the permanent marker, draw the shape of your crown on the outer green skin. This can be as simple or complex a crown as your abilities allow.

5. Use the carving knife to cut the melon, following the lines you've created with the permanent marker. Throw away the small pieces you cut away.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use this same technique to make multiple crowns from a single watermelon, cutting more discs of melon.

• Instead of a butcher knife, you can use an electric carving knife to cut the slice of melon.

• Be careful when using sharp knives, and keep a first aid kit handy in case of cuts.

• Rind can be fragile, so when you are cutting do not squeeze or press too hard. You may break the rind.

• Do not make the spikes on the crown so deep that you cut all the way through the rind.

References

• National Watermelon Promotion Board: Southwest Salsa Bowl