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Ingredients

1 Large watermelon (about 15 pounds)
2 Cantaloupe melons
2 Honeydew melons
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Fresh lime juice
1/4 cup Fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons Orange-flavored liquer (optional)
2 teaspoons Grated lime peel
3 cups Sliced fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and halved
2 cups Black or red seedless grapes, washed and halved

Preparation

CARVING THE BASKET:

1. Lay a dampened dish towel on a counter or table and place melon on top to prevent it from rolling.

2. With a water-soluble marker, draw an outline of a basket onto melon, making sure the handle is at least 1 1/4 inches wide.

3. Using a large, sharp knife, carefully cut melon along marker line.

4. Remove excess rind and set aside. With a melon baller, scoop out all the watermelon flesh and place in a large glass or ceramic bowl; set aside.

5. With a vegetable peeler, even out scalloped edges of watermelon. Cover watermelon basket with clear plastic wrap and set aside.

MAKING THE FRUIT SALAD:

1. With a melon baller, scoop out flesh from cataloupes and honeydews.

2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, lime juice, lemon juice, orange liquer and lime peel. Stir well.

3. Add all melon balls, strawberries and grapes; toss to combine. Allow fruit to chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

4. Just before serving, transfer fruit salad to watermelon basket.

Cook's Notes

It's important to purchase watermelons that are fully ripe, since they don't continue to ripen once they've been picked. A ripe melon feels heavy for its size and has a sweet, fresh fragrance.

Helpful Tools:
water-soluble marker
melon baller
vegetable peeler

Nutrition Information

Calories: 315 ; Total Fat: 3g ; Saturated Fat: 1g ; Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g ; Carbohydrates: 74g ; Protein: 5g ; Sodium: 30mg ; Fiber: 5g