It’s the simple things — finding a leftover piece of cake in the fridge, receiving an offhand compliment from a stranger, cracking a recipe with an unexpected twist — that surprise and delight me. But it’s the “why didn’t I think of that first” discoveries that really stick with me.
Cutting a watermelon seems a simple task, just rounds and wedges, right? But late last year I came across a whole new way.
During our trip we spent a week in Cape Cod with my extended family. We ate and drank and laughed and made our way through roughly 10 watermelons in the span of six days.
One afternoon I stopped mid-word, mouth hanging open, as my aunt cut up yet another orb… It wasn’t how she halved it and cut the rind off, or how she sliced it into tall pieces (although I’d never thought to use that technique on anything other than oranges and cantaloupes) that I found so fascinating.
It was the final trick of inverting a bowl over the cut fruit and flipping it over. All of a sudden a bowl of perfectly cut watermelon, ready and waiting to be stored — or devoured. Genius.
I’ve been using the technique ever since and decided a few weeks ago to share a short Instagram video of it.
It was done holding the phone in one hand, a knife in the other, and trying to capture a bit of each step in under 15 seconds — although the actual flip was left out because even I don’t have three hands.
Then something slightly unexpected happened on Facebook, it went insane. Based on the reaction I figured there were enough people who thought is was equally as genius as I did, and that I should perhaps, finally, make the jump into video…
RJ was kind enough to act as camera man and I’ve managed to teach myself trial by error video editing in a day. Not bad for my first go if I do say so myself — although I could have done without the plane flying overhead somewhere in the middle!
Food TV here I come, but first I need more watermelon.
Chris Rowley says
Yet another talent – video! Good job on the watermelon. The only thing I need to remember is to find watermelon to fit the bowl….
JJ says
Haha that seems to be a common reaction but it’s quite a bit easier than you’d think ;D
chocolatesuze says
when i saw this on your ig i thought it was fricken brilliant! love the vid!
JJ says
Thanks Suze!
Kyrstie @ A Fresh Legacy says
Nice work JJ, this is a great way to cut up a watermelon. Well done on the video.
Lizzy (Good Things) says
Brilliant!
keren says
Amazing! I have to try this. Great post JJ!
Glynis says
Is the ” tip for a flat stomach”‘ as easy as cutting this watermelon? Haha!
JJ says
One could only wish ;D
Glynis says
This watermelon post/video is absolutely brilliant!
Helen (Grab Your Fork) says
Fab idea! And you’re a TV natural too!
The Life of Clare says
I love this! It’s genius!
Marie says
JENNERRRR,
LOVE THIS and shared it en français SVP on my blog’s facebook page.
Have a nice summer and see you in a couple months YAYAYAYY
xxx
JJ says
Aw thanks Frenchie! Yes let me know when you are in town!!
milkteaxx says
genius definitely! gonna buy a watermelon just to try this out!
JJ says
I need another asap!
Adam says
Great job on the video! I wouldn’t have suspected that you were new to making videos! (Your trick looks good too.)
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