Notice how summer and watermelon just go hand-in-hand? And the more I experiment with this incredible fruit, the more delighted I become. This is one versatile food.

First, let's look at the health benefits of watermelon:

• Alongside tomatoes, watermelon has moved up to the front of the line in recent research studies on high-lycopene foods. Lycopene is a carotenoid phytonutrient that's especially important for our cardiovascular and bone health.
• Watermelon contains citrulline, an amino acid commonly converted by the kidneys and other organ systems into arginine (another amino acid), which helps blood flow and prevents excess accumulation of fat in cells.
• Watermelon contains impressive concentrations of phenolic antioxidants, flavonoids, lycopene, and vitamin C in all the flesh (rind, lighter green periphery, etc.)
• Watermelon contains large amounts of vitamins C, A, and the minerals potassium and magnesium.
• And juicing watermelon with the seeds adds a significant blast of zinc and iron.
• Watermelon adds huge amounts of fiber and water (hence its name) to the diet-both are excellent nutrients for beautiful, healthy skin, as well as a healthy GI tract. It's an excellent detoxifier.

The benefits go on, but you get the point. But why do I say it's versatile? Here are a few reasons:

• When juiced, it's almost all liquid, so you can use it as a drink base. And I freeze it in ice cube trays also. The watermelon cubes make wonderful chilled mineral water--"legal soda pop".
• I mash or chunk it and fold it and granola into Greek yogurt. This is an amazing treat.
• Mashed watermelon also blends well with sweetened and cooked rhubarb. After the rhubarb is cooked, I let it cool, then fold in the mashed melon. I place about 1/2 cup of this mixture atop a slice of frozen lemon sorbet and top it all off with sweetened whipped cream. Or I'll just pour the melon-rhubarb mixture over vanilla ice cream.
• I make a morning smoothie by blending a quart or more of watermelon chunks with chia seed, greens, and Greek yogurt. (You don't need to add any other liquid.) The more greens, the more purplish the drink will be, but it'll still taste terrific!
• I add blended watermelon juice to a glass of fresh peppermint leaf and rosemary iced tea. Wow!
• Fresh watermelon and blueberries or kiwi also team up well. I use these combinations to make popsicles.
• And related to this, mashed watermelon, frozen, makes a great slushy.
• I've used blended water melon as the base for Jello? desserts-delicious!

We sing a little ditty around our house: "I like apple pie--it tastes mighty fine--but I'd really rather have a watermelon vine. Just plant a watermelon upon my grave and let the juice seep through!"