Serves: 0

* See note below.
platter of canapes
dessert tray of fruit and cheese
centerpiece on a luau or patio table
Garnish with fresh mint or lemon leaves, or with other fresh fruits such as berries or citrus knots

* Large melons make an attractive table centerpiece. Smaller melons can be arranged in groups or cut in half and served as an individual fruit salad or dessert. Select a melon with a nice-looking rind. Use a melon ball cutter to scoop out a variety of sizes and colors of melon balls from cantaloupe,watermelon and honeydew. Melons can be prepared ahead. Drain well, cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Use as a garnish for Scalloped Bowl

You will need a long slender knife, clean coin such as a quarter or nickel,felt-tip pen and melon ball cutter.

Select size and variety of melon according to intended use. Place stem-side down. Slice off top one-fourth to one-half of melon (A). This cut edge will determine the top of the scalloped edge as well as the height and shape of the bowl. If whole melon is cut in half, two bowls can be made. Place a coin along the top of the cut edge. With a felt-tip pen, trace around the top of the coin, making a scalloped design around melon (B). Using a long slender knife, follow design and cut through rind and flesh. Remove top. Scoop out seeds. Use melon ball cutter to remove flesh from melon as desired. Drain well.

Swan

You will need a long slender knife, felt-tip pen, melon ball cutter, pattern for head and neck, and a wooden sandwich pick.

Select a tall oval or round melon according to intended use. Determine height of head in relation to length of body. Cut out a pattern for head and neck(A). Trace design of head and neck with felt-tip pen on melon. Continue marking a cutting line, curving up tip of tail (B). Using a long slender knife, follow marked line and cut through rind and flesh to form swan. Make several deep diagonal V-shape cuts for tail feathers (C). Gently straighten head and neck to stand upright, inserting a wooden pick deeply into flesh for support (D). Trim out part of the flesh for a thinner rim. Drain well. Use melon ball cutter to scoop out balls from remaining melon as desired. Place balls in swan shell.

More Recipes from the All-Occasion Appetizers Cookbook:
Apples
Bridge Nibbles
Carrots And Turnips
Chocolate
Chow Mein Snack
Citrus Fruits
Coconut Chips
Grapes
Melon
Party Snack Mix
Peanut Snack
Savory Popcorn
Smoky Almonds
Soft Pretzels
Strawberries
Taco Corn