|Jnrtlanh ©hseruer PagcAÓ F ood One o f your favorite summer foods has an ancient history. I t ’s believed that watermelon first grew in the Kalahari Desert in Africa thousands o f years ago. Ancient Egyptians depicted the harvest o f watermelons in hieroglyphics and watermelons were placed in the tombs o f kings as fo o d fo r the afterlife. E u ro p e a n s got their first taste of wa­ termelon in the 13th century. In America, w ate rm e lo n was brought by European c o lo n ists in the 1600’s. Like the name sug­ gests, watermelon is prized for its high wa- , ter content - 92% . That’s why watermelon was used as a transportable water source. It’s actually a vegetable related to cucumbers and pump­ kins. Not only do people eat the sweet flesh, but the seeds can be toasted and the rinds can be pickled. Watermelon is eaten and produced nearly everywhere. The U.S. ranks fourth in watermelon production, with 44 states growing the fruit. It’s also the most consumed melon in the country. Watermelon comes in all sizes, shapes and colors. Besides the green rind and red flesh that most of us are familiar with, there are yellow and white varieties with different colored seeds. Watermelon is high in Vitamin A & C and is a good source of lycopene. Studies show diets high in lycopene could reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Nutritionists also say watermelon is a heart-healthy food. Fun Fact: Raise acold glass of watermelon beer. In Russia, watermelon juice is used to make a unique brew. Watermelon Watermelon is a fruit that is terrific all by itself. You've surely sat outside on a warm summer night, eating watermelon slices and maybe even engaging in childish contests to see who can spit the watermelon seeds the furthest. If you really like watermelon, you've probably tried different kinds of watermelon such as seedless varieties or yellow watermelon. But did you know that w atermelon is not just a food that is good on its own? It's also a great ingredient for more complex foods that benefit from the hint of watermelon flavor and the water-based juiciness of the fruit. SAFEWAY O Ingredients for life C L U B P R IC E C R O U Itlo Northwest Grown Sweet Cherries SAVE uptoS5.01 lb. 80% Lean Got Watermelon? Watermelon ice cubes: All you need to do for this recipe is take a watermelon (seedless), blend it up into a thin juice in your blender (no additional water or juice needed) and then freeze the juice into cubes. Add to sodas and waters for a refreshing summer beverage. * 20% Fat. Extreme Value Pack. Limit 2 with S10 purchase. Or lO-lti. Patties $12.90 each. SAVE up to $2.00 lb. ajjepmcE Watermelon kabobs: You can add skewers to watermelon marinate them and grill them. They grill quickly so keep an eye on them. The watermelon taste isn't too strong when it's grilled so add vegetables and I or meats to fill the skewers. 90% Lean Ground Sirloin Extreme Value Pack. While supplies last. SAVE up to S2.00 lb. cuiBPRicr EXTREME VALUE Buy SIGI SAW! : lune 25, 2 0 0 8 93% Lean 7% Fat. Extreme Value Pack. While supplies last SAVE up toS2.OO lb. CtUBPRICE Large Cantaloupe Melons Watermelon Chicken: The basic idea is to add the watermelon to the baking of the chicken to get the additional flavor in the meat. This can be done by adding in chunks and mixing them (do this only in the final few minutes of cooking the meat). SAVE 'JP to S3 99 on 2 Watermelon Cranberry Glazed Pork Chops \ ro