This weekend you may be tempted to try something new on the grill. Believe it or not, cutting out a big slab of watermelon and placing it on the grill is a refreshing twist to the classic backyard BBQ! As with most fruits, watermelon takes on a different level of taste when its sugars caramelize from the flames of the grill. Carve out 2-inch think watermelon steaks (no rind) while your grill pre-heats on high. Remember to rub the grates down with a wadded paper towel dipped in cooking oil. Season your watermelon steaks with a coat of olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Rub the grill grates with the oily paper towel once again and immediately place your watermelon on the grill and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, moving around the grill as needed to keep from burning. Enjoy and remember you can add whatever you'd like as you would a meat burger to maximize flavor.
Grilled Watermelon Burgers with Goat Cheese and Charred Orange-Fennel Gremolata
Use a microplane to zest the orange and pulverize the garlic into a small bowl with the fennel fronds.
Slice the orange in half, rub lightly with olive oil, and place cut-side down directly over the fire. Cook for a minute or two until the oranges become deeply charred, then juice them into the bowl with the fennel. Stir in the white wine vinegar and kosher salt, then cover and set aside at room temperature while you make the burgers.
Use the bread as a guide to cut perfectly sized watermelon burger “patties,” then coat them well with olive oil and season them with a sprinkle of kosher salt. Rub the grill grates with the oily paper towel once again, then put the burgers directly over the flames. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, moving around the grill as needed to keep from burning.
Toast the buns lightly, then top with watermelon, cheese, a few coarse cracks of black pepper, and a few spoonfuls of the gremolata. Serve immediately.