Thai Watermelon Carving

Mention watermelon carving to most people in this country, and they'll probably think of a hollowed-out, melon ball-filled watermelon "basket". In Thailand, however, the elaborate carving of watermelon and other fruits and vegetables is a long-standing and respected tradition that dates to the 14th century, when the art evolved in the court of King Phra Ruang. Here, a step-by-step guide gives you perfect instructions for carving like the masters. Back to An Ancient Art »

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_1_480.jpg
Carve a small circle into one end of a watermelon. Using a large chef's knife, slice it off.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-Thai_watermelon_carving_3_480.jpg
Cut away the rind in long, downward strokes. Stop several inches above the bottom of the watermelon; this part of the rind will remain intact.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_4_480.jpg
Continue stripping away the rind until the watermelon is white.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_6_480.jpg
Using a small, curved knife, carve a circle into the top of the watermelon.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_7_480.jpg
Continue to make the line of the circle deeper and wider.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_8_480.jpg
Starting at the circle, gently cut out a ring of heart-shaped petals.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_9_480.jpg
Continue the pattern, gradually making the petals larger.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_10_480.jpg
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_12_480.jpg
Carefully carve out smaller, petal-like shapes within each triangle.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_13_480.jpg
Vary the line of the large triangle to make it slightly wavy.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_14_480.jpg
Continue the same pattern.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_15_480.jpg
Follow the pattern until you reach the part of the rind that's still intact.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_16_480.jpg
Cut out curved, petal-like shapes at the top of the watermelon.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_17_480.jpg
Continue cutting out shapes until the top resembles a flower.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_18_480.jpg
Admire your masterpiece. Here, Kalaya Tongchareon Paragas, who practices Thai produce carving as a hobby, shows off hers.
Techniques

Thai Watermelon Carving

Mention watermelon carving to most people in this country, and they'll probably think of a hollowed-out, melon ball-filled watermelon "basket". In Thailand, however, the elaborate carving of watermelon and other fruits and vegetables is a long-standing and respected tradition that dates to the 14th century, when the art evolved in the court of King Phra Ruang. Here, a step-by-step guide gives you perfect instructions for carving like the masters. Back to An Ancient Art »

httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_1_480.jpg
Carve a small circle into one end of a watermelon. Using a large chef's knife, slice it off.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-Thai_watermelon_carving_3_480.jpg
Cut away the rind in long, downward strokes. Stop several inches above the bottom of the watermelon; this part of the rind will remain intact.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_4_480.jpg
Continue stripping away the rind until the watermelon is white.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_6_480.jpg
Using a small, curved knife, carve a circle into the top of the watermelon.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_7_480.jpg
Continue to make the line of the circle deeper and wider.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_8_480.jpg
Starting at the circle, gently cut out a ring of heart-shaped petals.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_9_480.jpg
Continue the pattern, gradually making the petals larger.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_10_480.jpg
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_12_480.jpg
Carefully carve out smaller, petal-like shapes within each triangle.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_13_480.jpg
Vary the line of the large triangle to make it slightly wavy.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_14_480.jpg
Continue the same pattern.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_15_480.jpg
Follow the pattern until you reach the part of the rind that's still intact.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_16_480.jpg
Cut out curved, petal-like shapes at the top of the watermelon.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_17_480.jpg
Continue cutting out shapes until the top resembles a flower.
httpswww.saveur.comsitessaveur.comfilesimport2008images2008-07634-thai_watermelon_carving_18_480.jpg
Admire your masterpiece. Here, Kalaya Tongchareon Paragas, who practices Thai produce carving as a hobby, shows off hers.

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