Watermelon with Mint and Rosewater

31/10/2012 22 Comments
Little needs to be said to convince you to try this crisp, refreshing summer dessert. Drippingly sweet and juicy watermelon flecked with fresh mint and a hint of rose. It is quite possibly the easiest, yet most elegant tasting, treat to serve on any hot afternoon or evening.
Since there are so few ingredients in this dish, quality is important. Especially with the star of this show, watermelon. Here are my tips for picking a great one:
  1. If there’s a farmers’ market nearby, go there first. Farmers’ market fruits are usually picked when ripe, or almost ripe, which means you have a better chance of cutting into a bright, sweet melon. Supermarket crops are often picked before they reach their peak.
  2. Pick a pretty one. That is, one that is relatively free of big blemishes and dents (it doesn’t have to look perfect. Just undamaged).
  3. Is it heavy? Since watermelons are full of liquid, a nice, heavy one is a good sign of ripeness.
  4. Tap a few of them, and pick the one that sounds the most hollow.
Get picking!
Print
Watermelon with Mint and Rosewater

Provisions

  • Watermelon, chilled
  • Handful of mint (whole, chiffonade, chopped to your preference)
  • A few drops of rosewater

Method

  1. Slice the watermelon - however much you need for yourself/your guests - and arrange on a plate. Chiffonade a small handful of fresh mint and scatter atop the watermelon.
  2. Add a few drops of rosewater all over the watermelon (a little goes a long way - you just want a hint). I find it easiest to put my thumb over the opening of the bottle, then shake it upside down over the melon so a few drops sprinkle out.
  3. Serve chilled.
http://www.wanderingspice.com/2012/10/31/watermelon-with-mint-and-rosewater/

Audio pairing: Frank Ocean, “Sweet Life”

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Filed Under: Desserts & Sweets, Mezze & Small Plates, Recipe Index Tagged With: , , , ,
  • Gerry @ Foodness Gracious

    Great picking tips! My kids would demolish this in a second, they love watermelon,

    • http://www.wanderingspice.com/ Yasmeen

      Much appreciated, Gerry. Lucky to have kids who love their fruit, but who could blame them. Watermelon is the epitome of summer.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Rosa.J.May Rosa May

    An interesting combination!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    • http://www.wanderingspice.com/ Yasmeen

      Thanks, Rosa!

  • http://twitter.com/msihua msihua

    You make the most interesting things. Hmm maybe I’ll make some for my husband too :) *Wink*

    • http://www.wanderingspice.com/ Yasmeen

      Thanks, I-Hua! I feel the same way about your dishes. I love that we can learn from each other. I find these flavors to be so romantic, so… perfect to make for that new husband of yours!

  • http://www.nooralqahtani.com/ Noor AlQahtani

    I make this quite a bit we love it.

    • http://www.wanderingspice.com/ Yasmeen

      We do, too. It’s a summer classic, just had to be shared.

  • http://twitter.com/theindolentcook leaf

    I’ve also made something similar and it’s delicious! :)

    • http://www.wanderingspice.com/ Yasmeen

      So glad you like these flavors, Leaf.

  • http://wayfaringchocolate.com Hannah

    I adore, I adore. It’s been too long since I last made my watermelon, mint, and feta salad, but now I feel that next time, there’ll be rosewater instead of feta. Love rosewater! ‘Course, it’s turning to winter here in Canada now…

    • http://www.wanderingspice.com/ Yasmeen

      Yes, the feta and watermelon mix is gorgeous, too! Really this is all just a plot to lure you back to Australia. Be warned, I have many months’ worth of summer fruit in my arsenal. So, get packing!

      • http://wayfaringchocolate.com Hannah

        Alas, my dear, even all the summer fruit in the world couldn’t lure me back right now. I awoke to snowflakes drifting onto gorgeous Christmas-like trees out here in the northern Ontario wilderness and, despite the cold, my heart is singing at the adventure and magic of my current life :)

  • http://twitter.com/angiesrecipess Angie

    A perfect summer treat. I love the touch of fresh mint leaves.

    • http://www.wanderingspice.com/ Yasmeen

      Thanks, Angie. The mint really brings the fruit to life.

  • http://thehungryexcavator.com/ Winston

    Hope you don’t get too surprised when I tell you this but I’ve actually never bought rosewater before =O. It’s a flavour I always enjoy when I taste it at restaurants or friends’ places but don’t know why I haven’t gotten myself a bottle now. Seems like there’s SO much we could do with them. Totally transformed these usual watermelons into sth way more awesome. Yum!

    • http://www.wanderingspice.com/ Yasmeen

      It seems like a niche ingredient but you’re right, there’s so much you can do with it in the sweets department. If you want to go grab some, any of the places up on Sydney Road will have it (like A1 Bakery, for example, where you can also stop for a snack) :)

  • Nuha

    I keep forgetting your starting summer in Aussie. I wish we had fresh watermelon around so I could try this…with a bit of cheese on the side :-)

    • http://www.wanderingspice.com/ Yasmeen

      Yes – watermelon and cheese is a match made in heaven!

  • Heidi – Apples Under My Bed

    So simple, so refreshing! Bring on Summer & more beautiful desserts like this.
    Heidi xo

  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

    Watermelon, mint and rose water?!? Enough said :)

  • http://thehungryexcavator.com/ Winston

    Tres yummy!! Them rosewater really did wonders to the watermelon Yas. Want a thick slice of em right now. Btw is that a Corelle plate? Haha!