Watermelon Jerky. Trust me on this one.

So the summer of 2010 is drawing to a close.

Alas my summer love affair with watermelon is not.

I'm not the only one in the family who loves watermelon.

I've been practically obsessed with watermelon these past few months. Keep in mind I've always loved my Watermelon Rind Pickles, but since the weather turned warmer I've been through the Watermelon Agua Fresca phase, the Watermelon Feta Salad (with Kalamata olives added) near-addiction, the Watermelon with Lime Juice & Agave Salad 5 days-in-a-row thing, the Watermelon Jelly experiment, and now, it's Watermelon Jerky. I mean, I was almost over watermelon, and that last one I bought being nearly flavorless didn't help one bit. But then it hit me. If this watermelon didn't have so much "water" in it, it would be much better.

The flavorless watermelon was bound for the compost bin, but at the last minute I decided to slice it up (about 1/2" - 3/4" thick; it doesn't have to be exact) and stick it in the food dehydrator. I decided to add a couple slices of the "Yellow Doll" watermelon while I was at it, because this particular one didn't taste like much either.

2 types of Watermelon, ready for the dehydrator

It was a stroke of genius. Not entirely an original idea, mind you. I had heard people say that once dehydrated, watermelon tastes like candy. An idea I didn't find totally appealing, if you consider the fact that my least favorite Jolly Rancher candy flavor, growing up, was watermelon. Hard to believe, I know, but so far it's only been genuine watermelon, not the artificially-flavored kind that has me in it's clutches.

24 hours (at 135 degrees) later, Watermelon Jerky.

Crispy, yet chewy, and not unlike Watermelon Cotton Candy, if such a thing even exists!

Try it. One bite and you'll be hooked. Last call for watermelons. I think I better run out to the grocery store and stock up, before the Labor Day weekend sales are over.

Update on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 2:20PM by Brook Hurst Stephens

Woo Hoo! More watermelon!

Love seeing the dehydrator trays full of goodness

I turn the dial to 135 degrees,

and put the front door back on,

and the magic just happens.

I love the idea that right now, inside this rather innocuous looking box, a small miracle is happening (even as I type this.)