How to Cut Up a Watermelon

OK, I know it isn't rocket science or anything, but really, cutting up a watermelon can sometimes be a daunting task. I mean, they are HUGE! They make a mess, and they tend to roll around a lot. This is probably the reason that most people pay a bazillion times more for the already cut up stuff in the refrigerator section at the store. Well save those dollars and read my post instead. You can thank me later.

I have cut up many a watermelon in my day, and through trial and error, I believe that I've found one of the quickest and simplest ways to do it.
BUT...
First thing first...

WASH THE WATERMELON!!!

Okay. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. 

But really, if you've ever suffered form salmonella poisoning, you'd wish someone yelled that out to you.
What? An old wives tale, you say?
You don't eat the rind anyway, you say?
Well... ahem... answer me this: When your knife touches the outside of the rind, then cuts through, what is it touching?
That's right. It's touching the yummy watermelon flesh... thus dragging any yucky germies along with it.
Not so pretty of a picture, is it?
So, please, wash your watermelon... and any other fruit... before cutting into it.
Thank you.
Now back to my regularly scheduled post.

When you cut up a watermelon, juice gets EVERYWHERE! I like to use a large cookie sheet to contain the juices. Last time I did this, my husband said that he tasted a hint of a metallic flavor on it. I didn't taste it, but ok. To solve this, simply put one of those plastic cutting mats down on the cookie sheet first. In all honesty, it is better to do that anyway.

So, you have your plastic cutting mat lined cookie sheet... now you need a sharp knife. Got it? Good.

First, you cut the watermelon in half. The first cut is the hardest. I wish I took a pic, but I didn't even think to make this into a blog post until I got to about the third cut. I'll try to explain well, though.
Find the flattest side of the watermelon and put that side down. Hold the watermelon steady with one hand while you carefully insert the knife into the top center of the side that is up. Oh, and make sure it isn't the vine end. You want the vine end (and its counterpart) on the sides.
So, stick your knife in the top center and start cutting downward. You will cut just the half that is closest to you. 

Now, remove your knife, turn the entire cookie sheet around and cut the other side the same way.
You should now have 2 halves.

Next, take one half and set it aside. Take the other half and place it face down on your cutting surface.
Insert the knife and cut it in half.

Now, put one of those halves aside and place one of them on your cutting surface. Cut this in half.

Can you guess what I'm going to say next? That's right. Put one half aside and get the other ready fro cutting. Cut this piece into 3 or 4 manageable pieces. (just look at the pic to see how)
If I want to leave the rind on, I will stop at this step and repeat with the rest of the watermelon. This leaves nice small pieces for the kids to snack on... OUTSIDE!

If you want to remove the rind and continue to cut the watermelon into chunks, keep reading.
Just run the knife along the rind to remove it. I like to have a large bowl or garbage handy for this part. As I cut, I toss the the rinds.

 Next, lay the watermelon flesh on its side and cut into strips.

Then turn those strips to the side and cut into chunks.

Toss the chunks into a big bowl... or several smaller bowls... or plastic storage bags... you get the idea. Repeat the necessary steps for the rest of the watermelon.

Voila! Watermelon chunks!

Clean up is easy and there isn't a ton of watermelon juice on your counter because you used your cookie sheet! 

Now you can chill your chunks and they are ready to eat throughout the next day or two.
I like to eat my watermelon with a little sprinkling of salt. My husband thinks I'm crazy. I think it brings out the flavor and has that nice salty-sweet thing going.

Another thing we like to do is make Strawberry Watermelon drinks. We will freeze some watermelon and some strawberries and blend them up in the blender. No need for ice. I do like to use unfrozen watermelon in this drink too, because the juices help the blender run better. Actually, my favorite way to make it is to use fresh watermelon and strawberries that have been frozen. But I've made it both of these ways and they are equally yummy.

How do you like your watermelon?