Almost a summer requirement

COLOUR your Christmas with the sweet taste of seedless watermelon.
We might sing about a white Christmas, but the festive season in Australia is far removed from snow covered mountains.
Last summer, Australians experienced record breaking heatwaves with temperatures regularly hovering about the 40s and we look set for similar conditions as the silly season approaches, according to climate change reports from the Bureau of Meteorology.
To ensure you handle the heat this Christmas, reach for refreshing seedless watermelon to keep things cool in the kitchen, while impressing your guests with this colour co-ordinated cuisine.
Wrapped in green and filled with refreshing red goodness, it’s made of 92 per cent water that will quench the thirst of friends and family over a long lunch or delicious dinner.
In a season where we’re often guilty of overindulging, it’s nice to know seedless watermelon contains only eight per cent sugar, allowing you to enjoy this guilt-free sweet treat any time of day.
It also contains vitamins C and A and the minerals potassium and iron, giving your immune system a boost in the busy lead up to Christmas and the often hectic New Year’s holiday.
Drizzle fresh slices with honey and sprinkle with desiccated coconut for an easy dessert, or combine with savoury foods to give traditional dishes an Aussie twist.
Here are two quick-to-make and sure to impress dishes to accompany the regular spread of turkey and ham this year:
Minty seedless watermelon salad
Ingredients
• 2-3 large slices of Seedless Watermelon, trimmedfrom rind
• 1/4 cup unsalted pistachio kernels, thinly sliced or crushed
• ½ cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
Method
1. Cut the seedless watermelon slices into thick triangles and arrange as desired on plate.
2. Finely chop the mint leaves and sprinkle over the Seedless Watermelon.
3. Carefully chop or crush the pistachio kernels and scatter generously over the salad.
4. Garnish with mint leaves, and present to guests for a red and green touch to the table.
Tip: This salad tastes best chilled, so keep refrigerated until it’s time to serve. Before serving, you may like to drizzle fresh lime juice over the top to keep the fruit moist and add a tangy twist.