Stuck with a Slightly-Too-Ripe Watermelon?

Don't you just hate it when this happens? You go to the grocer's or a farmer's market, you see what appears to be the perfect watermelon. Applying all of the super-sleuth techniques passed on from your grandmother to your mother to you, it is the ideal choice.

Then you get that sucker home and it's an over-ripe disappointment.

Like people, melons can sometimes be very promising, but a bitter disappointment when you get to know them. However, you can salvage this bad buy. Provided that this melon isn't gumpy or gooey, you have options.

Option #1: Watermelon Smoothie

Removing the seeds as you go (if your melon has seeds), chop it up and freeze it. The next day, add 1/3 cup lime juice for every 1 1/2 cup watermelon and 1/2 c of yogurt. Or if you want a double watermelon flavor, add 1/3 of the following Watermelon Cooler recipe in place of lime juice. Blend and that's it. The benefits of a melon that isn't the greatest thing for fresh eating is that it has accumulated enough natural sugars to make it a dream smoothie base fruit...or daiquiri...or margarita if you are feeling adventurous.

Option #2: Watermelon Cooler (source: Cooking Light Magazine)

Ingredients
8 cups chopped seedless watermelon (about 3 1/4 pounds)
1 cup fresh lime juice (about 6 limes)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
Dash of salt

Preparation
Place half of watermelon in a blender; process until smooth. Strain watermelon through a sieve into a pitcher; discard solids. Repeat procedure with the remaining watermelon. Stir in lime juice, sugar, 1/2 cup water, and dash of salt. Serve over ice. Six servings (1 cup per serving)

See? Problem solved. You didn't lose five bucks after all.

FYI: the photo isn't an example of an over-ripe melon. I wanted a watermelon photo but decided to spare you any gruesomeness.