Make Your Own Watermelon Grill
Check out this "hot" new twist on summer fruit salad: A simple, crowd-pleasing food craft turns the average fruit salad bowl into a super cool watermelon grill.
What you'll need:
- 1 medium-size round watermelon
- Toothpicks
- 3 cucumbers
- 12-inch bamboo skewers
- 2 lime rounds
- 1 pint raspberries
- 1 pint blackberries
- Strong kitchen shears
- 6-inch bamboo skewers
- Feta cheese cubes
- Fresh basil leaves
- 1 bottle balsamic glaze
Cut the watermelon in half at the median and scoop out the insides. Cube up the fruit and set it aside; you'll need it for later. One half of the hollowed out melon will be the grill base and the other half will be the lid! Slice off a thin round of the rind and make the lid handle. Use toothpicks to attach the handle to the lid.
Since the finished grill may be a challenge to move once it's assembled, you'll want to assemble the legs at the final location where you plan to display the grill. To make the grill legs, cut each cucumber at an angle on both ends so that one side sits flush with the table and other flush with the watermelon. Secure each leg by using 12-inch skewers to puncture the center of the cucumber and hold it in position at the base of the melon. Add the lime rounds as wheels to 2 of the legs with toothpicks. Fill the watermelon with blackberries and raspberries to represent the coals in a grill.
Now it's time to make the grill grates. Use the 12-inch skewers to create even holes near the top rim of the grill base and push each one through to secure on the other side. Trim off the exposed ends with kitchen shears so they are flush with the outside of the rind. Plan for the trimmed side to be the back of your display. You will need about 10 of these skewers to cover the top of the grill with grates.
You've created a great base, so now you'll need something to go on the grill. What better than a few sweet and savory fruit kebabs? They're easily made using the 6-inch skewers to alternate feta cheese, watermelon cubes (reserved from hollowing out the watermelon halves) and basil. Place the finished skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and make a few cool grill marks by drizzling each skewer with a little bit of balsamic glaze. Use a skewer to help if the glaze comes out too thick. Place the finished skewers on top of the grill and stack the remaining skewers alongside. Prepare for your guests to be amazed.