Watermelon rinds are also edible, but most people avoid eating them due to their unappealing flavor. They are used for making pickles, and sometimes used as a vegetable. The rind is stir-fried, stewed or more often pickled, which is sometimes eaten in the Southern US. The Oklahoma State Senate passed a bill in 2007 declaring watermelon as the official state vegetable, with some controversy about whether it is a vegetable or a frui
The seeds have a nutty flavor and can be dried and roasted, or ground into flour. In China, the seeds are esteemed and eaten with other seeds at Chinese New Year celebrations.
In a 100 gram serving, watermelon fruit supplies 30 calories and low amounts of essential nutrients (table). Only vitamin C is present in appreciable content at 10% of the Daily Value (table). Watermelon fruit is 91% water, contains 6% sugars, and is low in fat (table)
The amino acid citrulline is produced in watermelon rind. Watermelon pulp contains carotenoids, including lycopene
Watermelon juice can be made into wine or blended with other fruit juices. An alcoholic treat called a “hard watermelon” is made by pouring liquor into a hole in the rind of a whole fruit, and then eating the alcohol-permeated flesh. Traditionally, travelling in the desert in the dry season could only be done in a good tsamma year. Humans can survive on an exclusive diet of tsamma for six weeks
