Billboard

So I'm driving down the highway to work this morning and just to the left of the interstate is a huge billboard with a watermelon on it.  The billboard says Now Entering the Watermelon Capitol of the Midwest.  What!  When did the west side of Indianapolis become the entryway to the watermelon capitol of the Midwest?  I did not see a news story about that wonderful happening? 

After thinking about it further I'm sure they are talking about western Indiana as the watermelon capitol of the Midwest.  The billboard was sponsored by the Indiana Department of Agriculture and the Illiana Watermelon Growers. 

So continuing the summer produce theme I have been following on the last few blog posts I thought I would talk about watermelon.  Here in the Midwest we are able to get watermelon all year.  In the winter they are shipped in from some other country and are usually really expensive and not very good.  But if you need a watermelon for a recipe or just need a fix they are available. 

But in the summer when the watermelons are coming from local growers, ripened in the fields and picked fresh they are just shy of heaven in my book.  There is nothing better than cutting into a summer watermelon where the fruit is bright red and the juices run along your knife as you cut it open and pool on the cutting board.  These watermelons are sweet and juicy and I can eat them at every meal, even breakfast.  Watermelons are one of my favorite summer treats so I'm glad I live in the midst of the watermelon capitol of the Midwest. 

Several years ago one of the hockey players who lived with us loved watermelon.  I would purchase a whole one and cut it up into chucks and put it in the refrigerator.  He would eat the entire melon in one or two sittings.  So whenever I look at watermelon I am reminded of that player (who is now playing professionally on the East Coast). 

So I'm glad I live in the Watermelon Capitol of the Midwest.  It was just surprising to see that billboard proclaiming it next to the interstate. 

What is your favorite summer treat?  What specific things are just the epitome of summer for you?