Watermelon Juice: A Persian Panacea

It can cure a cold. It can take the pain out of a headache. It can even bring you good luck on your next test. It's the simplest panacea and its absolutely delicious: Watermelon juice.

My grandmother, Mamanjoon, would always tell my Baba when he was little to drink watermelon juice because it could cure any sickness. 40 years later, as I lay on the couch with a pounding headache and sore throat, he said the same thing to me. It made no sense. Why watermelon juice? I thought orange juice was had all the vitamins. But when he brought me a frothing cup of pink watermelon juice, I just had to give it a try. And it worked!

While watermelon may seem to be an uncommon fruit in America, it is highly abundant in Iran. In fact, Iran is one of the top five countries for watermelon cultivation. Watermelons are grown in various regions of Iran allowing for year round accessibility. The fruit has always played an important role in Iranian culture dating back to the Persian Empire. The significance of watermelon is celebrated during the Shabe Yalda or winter solstice holiday. Additionally, watermelon is also very rich in vitamins including, but not limited to Vitamins C, A, and B6!

Drinking watermelon juice is a favorite summer pastime of mine and an easy way to feel connected with Iranian culture.

Here is a short recipe my dad made:

Ingredients:

• 2/3 watermelon

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1 cup ice

• a little water

Steps:

• Chop watermelon into cubes

• Place in blender

• Add sugar and ice

• Blend until frothy

• Add water to satisfy taste