WaterMelon

Watermelon is an American preferred for meals and snacks. People can't get sufficient of the sweet treat, and nutritionists have long appreciated the health benefits watermelon provides. In recent research new light is found on its potential health benefits. Watermelon contains more lycopene, an antioxidant that may help to reduce the risks of cancer and other diseases.

Watermelon, the fruit which is really a Vegetable. Watermelon can be traced back to Africa and it is part of the cucumber and squash family. Early watermelons were mostly rind and seeds. Today's varieties are larger, the flesh is sweeter, the seeds are smaller and the rind is thinner. It is the most refreshing, thirst satisfying fruit of all. It consists of 92% water and 8% sugar, so it is appropriately named. Americans consume over 17 lbs of watermelon each year. The largest watermelon on world record (Guinness Book of World Records) weights 262 pounds.

Watermelons are mostly available throughout year. It is a perfect fruit to a salad, salsa, or cool drink.

There are over 50 varieties of watermelon. Most of it have reddish flesh, but there are orange and yellow-fleshed varieties also. Among the 50 varieties of watermelon, common in the United States are: Allsweet, Ice-Box, Seedless and Yellow Flesh.

20–25 pounds

Red Flesh

Oblong

Dark green rind, with or without stripes

 

If picked earlier, watermelon will not ripen easily.  If unripe, try putting the melon in a paper bag with un-refrigerated; this may sometimes works to ripen them.  Watermelons can be preserved for short period of time, up to 2 weeks, uncut at room temperature.  Wash watermelon with soap and water before cutting and once cut, pack the uneaten in closed plastic containers or bags and put back in the refrigerator. 

SELECTING WATERMELON

Unlike other melon-types watermelon can't be chosen from its smell. The only way to pick a ripe watermelon at your store is to do the flat hand test: Tap the melon with flat hand. If the sound is deep and thick you probably have found a ripe and sweet fruit.

 

Boysenberry

Boysenberry is a cross between blackberry, loganberry and raspberry. It's a very large bramble fruit with large seeds. The fruit is in deep maroon color. It turns black when it ripes.

Boysenberry fruit

Boysenberry is a prickly bramble of uncertain origin but ultimately derived from a western North American blackberry. The fruits are common during late May to early July season. It should be eaten within two or three days of purchase.

Health benefits

High in Vitamin C and fiber which helps to reduce the risk of cancer

Rich source of anthocyanins, natural antioxidants which help to maintain healthy brain cells and protect against oxidative damage

It is effective against tumors of the colon and esophagus

It helps to lower cholesterol and maintain heart problem

It's important for pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects in the unborn baby

Contain high levels of anthocyanins that work as antioxidants to help fight free radical damage in the body

Nutrient Content

Chemical properties

 

Uses of Boysenberry

It's used for making part of jams, pies, syrups and, wine

According to Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) the antioxidant level of boysenberries indicates a value of 42µmoles/TE/gramc which has a good reputation for antioxidant properties

The nutritive value of boysenberries helps to reduce weight and maintains optimum health

It is used in many yummy recipes

Recipes

Boysenberry Jam Recipe

Ingredients

4 cups of fresh, ripened boysenberries

4 cups of granulated sugar

Large, non-reactive saucepan

Large stockpot with lid

Three ½-pint glass jars

 

  

How to prepare?

Clean the boysenberries in cool water and then squeeze them slightly. Put them through a food mill. Place the crushed berries into a large saucepan. Boil it and add the granulated sugar to the berries. Stir constantly until it is completely dissolved and gelling point is reached. Place the saucer in the freezer and wait two to three minutes. If it has gelled, the jam is ready.

Boysenberry Milkshake Recipe

Ingredients

Vanilla ice cream 2 1/2 cup

2 oz Boysenberr

2 oz milk

How to prepare?

Mix frozen boysenberries, vanilla ice cream and 2 oz milk in blender container and blend until it gets smooth.

Boysenberry Salad Recipe

Ingredients

Olive oil ¼ cups

Sugar 2tablespoon

Rice vinegar 2tablespoon

Boysenberry jam 2tablespoon

Horseradish 1 teaspoon

Spinach leaves 14 oz

Boysenberries 1cup

Toasted sliced almonds ¼ cups

 

 

How to prepare?

Mix olive oil, horseradish, rice vinegar, brown sugar, boysenberry jam and blend until it gets smooth. Place the spinach leaves in a large bowl and drizzle the mixture over the spinach. Toss still leaves are evenly coated. Dust boysenberries and almonds over top of the salad and enjoy the taste of salad.

Vanilla and Boysenberry Ice cream Cake

Ingredients

Vanilla ice cream 1lt

Sugar ½ cup

Boysenberries syrup, drained 425g

Chocolate chips ½ cup

Cocoa 2tablespoon