Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus
Origin: Africa
Quick Facts
- ornamental flower with edible greens
- flowers come in a variety of colors
- grows well in hot Florida summer
- Swahili name is ‘mfungu’
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HEADING about something general
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In Africa
Watermelon first appeared about 5,000 years ago in south Africa where you can still find different types of wild watermelons. Around the 2000BC watermelons started spreading across the world until it got to America in the 17th century where it was first grown in Florida. Watermelon was really popular in the hot areas due to their high amount of water in them.
The watermelon fruit dates back to when watermelon seeds
were found in Libya back 5,000 years ago. This variety of watermelon was hard, pale and
immensely bitter. A century after Libyans discovery, the Egyptians got their hands on the fruit
and with selective breeding changed the taste of watermelon from bitter to sweet. As of today
West Africans still produce this amazing fruit and enjoy its red sweet core.
Throughout countries in West Africa watermelons are cultivated primary for their seeds.
To be specific the original watermelon which is called tsama and egusi-ibara by West Africans.
These watermelon seeds are crushed and used in soups as a thickening agent.
In America
The first reports of watermelons making its way to
America are accounts by white colonists who brought with them kidnapped Africans and fruits.
The colonists enjoyed the fruit so much that they cultivated it in Florida during the 16th century.
As time went on and the Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery in America on 1865, life was extremely unjust and hard for many free African Americans. African Americans like many other ethnic groups loved the sweet taste of watermelons and similar to their African ancestors began to cultivate it and sell it. This became a symbol of freedom in African American
communities. It was not long until hatred and stereotypes of watermelon and African Americans
were introduced by bigotted whites. Today watermelon is shared by people of all color without a racist connotation connected to it
Nutrition Facts
Watermelon has 80 calories per serving size and contains water (91%), sugar (6%) Vitamin A (8%), B6 (6%), C (25%), Magnesium (6%), Thiamin (8%), and Phosphorus(2%)
Source of nutritional information
what is a serving size?
Serving size: The nutrients in 2/3 cup (100 grams) of raw watermelon
Calories: 30
Water: 91%
Protein: 0.6 grams
Carbs: 7.6 grams
Sugar: 6.2 grams
Fiber: 0.4 grams
Fat: 0.2 grams
In Your Garden
Watermelon thrive in full sunlight and sandy loam soils with a PH 6.5-7.5. Watermelon can be easily damage when exposed to frost which is why its really important for them to be grown in warm climate areas.
When planting a watermelon be aware that they need at least 80 days to grow. The soil that the seeds are best grown in is warm weather such as Florida’s all year round heat. Seeds
should be planted 1 inch deep and separated 3-4 feet from other seeds. When growing watermelons water often and be aware to maintain the plant until a juicy plump watermelon
appears for harvest.
References
Recipes for Your Table
This section should provide a description of the plant as a culinary ingredient. This can include taste, flavor, common preparation techniques, names of several dishes, and other ingredients it is commonly associated with, etc.
Watermelon Salad
6 cups (or 4 pound) seedless watermelon
1 cucumber , seeded and small diced
½ cup (66g) feta cheese or sub with queso Blanco
½ cup (57.5g) red onion , thin sliced
1 cup (25g) coarsely chopped mint leaves , some whole for garnish
Watermelon Salad Dressing
3 tablespoon s (42ml) extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons (45ml) fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoon s (30ml) red vinegar
1 tablespoon (15ml) lime juice
¼ -½ teaspoon (0.5g-1g) cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon (18g) honey
½ teaspoon (2.5g) hot sauce
salt to taste
½ teaspoon (1g) freshly ground pepper
Need reference and link to recipe
Watermelon Slushie
Tired of ripping through the sweet taste of watermelon
like a savage just to end up with a sticky situation all
over your face. Look no further and try this watermelon
slushie that only requires 4 ingredients and you’ll enjoy
every last sip of this cool refreshing beverage on a hot
day with elegance and class.
INGREDIENTS
10 cups Seedless Watermelon Cubes, frozen for at least 24 hours
2–4 tbsp Maple Syrup*
Juice of 1 large Lime
1/4 cup Fresh Mint or Basil leaves, loosely packed (Optional)
1 1/2 cup Filtered Water
References & Resources
- http://www.vegetablefacts.net/vegetable-history/history-of-watermelon/
- https://www.watermelon.org/nutrition/nutrient-profile/
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-watermelons-successfully-46240.html#:~:text=How%20to%20Grow%20Watermelons%20Successfully%201%20Plant%20watermelon,the%20watermelon%20seeds%20germinate.%20…%20More%20items…%20https://www.africanbites.com/watermelon-salad/
- https://www.foodandwine.com/lifestyle/ancient-history-watermelon
- http://www.vegetablefacts.net/vegetable-history/history-of-watermelon/#:~:text=Watermelons%2
0were%20brought%20to%20Americas,many%20British%20and%20Dutch%20colonies .
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jun-25-fo-watermelon25-story.html#:~:text=The
%20original%20African%20wild%20watermelon,and%20stews%20throughout%20West%20Afri
ca . - https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/12/how-watermelons-became-a-racist-trope/3
83529/ - https://capcofarms.com/mangos/index.php/watermelon-prep
- https://www.burpee.com/gardenadvicecenter/vegetables/watermelons/all-about-watermelons/art
icle10022.html - https://frommybowl.com/watermelon-slushie-recipe/
Jovana Emilien and David Pierre contributed content to this page as part of HUM2420: African Humanities at Santa Fe College. This page was edited by Dr. Sarah Cervone in the Department of Humanities and Foreign Languages at Santa Fe College.
This page was created as part of a Florida Folk Life project in collaboration between Santa Fe College and the Matheson Historical Museum.
For more information visit www.thefloridafolklifeproject.org
