recipes
Warm Up Winter with Watermelon Fun
Warming up with family-friendly activities starts with a versatile (and delicious) option like watermelon, which can be your sweet superstar all year long. As a centerpiece for evenings at home or gatherings and get-togethers, its versatility creates zero food waste with endless creative uses in the kitchen, from rind-smile snowmen to handheld snacks.
Last Updated on July 14, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) The cold chill of winter may have you feeling trapped indoors with nothing to do and nowhere to go, but fun activities fit for the whole family can add excitement and chase away those wintertime blues. Paired with an appetizing snack, at-home crafting provides a relaxing way to keep your mind and body moving.
Warming up with family-friendly activities starts with a versatile (and delicious) option like watermelon, which can be your sweet superstar all year long. As a centerpiece for evenings at home or gatherings and get-togethers, its versatility creates zero food waste with endless creative uses in the kitchen, from rind-smile snowmen to handheld snacks.
When this year’s first snowfall offers a canvas for creativity and entertainment, gather your loved ones to make this Watermelon Snowman. Fresh-cut and personal-sized watermelons are the predominant options in wintertime, and they’re perfect for putting together this festive work of art. All you’ll need is a collection of kitchen knives, an ice cream scoop, melon ballers, skewers, some decorative “clothing” and blueberries for a fruit salad served right out of the snowman.
While you’re hard at work, ease your appetite with a quick and easy snack like Watermelon Glazed Meatballs. Start with a homemade watermelon puree mixed with barbecue sauce then saute frozen meatballs and top with the sweet glaze for a perfect wintertime treat. Along with delicious taste, watermelon is also a nutritious hydration source, which is just as important in winter as during warmer months, and provides an excellent source of vitamin C with 25% of the daily recommended value in each 2-cup serving to support immunity.
These tasty morsels also make for a simple, shareable appetizer while hosting throughout the season. Just lay them out on a serving tray and pop toothpicks into each meatball so guests can grab and go while mingling.
To find more family-friendly crafts and sweet snack ideas, visit Watermelon.org.
Watermelon Snowman
- Kitchen knives
- 1 round seedless watermelon
- 2 personal-sized watermelons, one larger than other
- ice cream scoop or large spoon
- melon baller
- mini melon baller or paring knife
- blueberries
- large wooden skewers
- y-shaped sticks
- scarf
- hat
- Using knife, cut 1/4-inch slice off bottom of round seedless watermelon and both personal watermelons to provide stable bases. Use smallest melon for head, second largest for torso and largest for lower body. Set aside smallest watermelon.
- Cut tops off large and medium watermelons to create bowls. Using ice cream scoop or large spoon, scoop out flesh.
- Using melon baller, scoop eyes out of smallest watermelon. Invert melon balls and reinsert.
- Using mini melon baller or paring knife, scoop out holes for nose and mouth. Carve one piece of watermelon into triangle for nose and fill mouth holes with blueberries.
- On platter, using large wooden skewers, connect all three watermelons.
- Insert y-shaped sticks in middle watermelon for arms.
- Fill bottom sections with fruit salad of melon balls and blueberries. Decorate with scarf and hat.
Watermelon Glazed Meatballs
Servings: 8
Watermelon Puree:
- 1 fresh watermelon
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 24-36 frozen prepared mini meatballs
- 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce
- 1 cup watermelon puree
- To make watermelon puree: Remove seeds from watermelon and cut into large chunks. In blender, process until smooth.
- In large, heavy saute pan over medium-high heat or electric skillet set to 325 F, heat oil.
- Saute mini meatballs until browned and hot. Reduce heat to low.
- Mix barbecue sauce and watermelon puree. Pour over meatballs and simmer 2-3 minutes. Serve hot.
SOURCE:
National Watermelon Promotion Board
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage
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Food and Beverage
Hearty Ways to Warm Up Winter
During cold winter days, cozy up with comforting dishes like Pumpkin Chili and Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese, utilizing Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin for added warmth and nutrition. These recipes are quick to prepare and offer delicious flavors, perfect for family meals. Discover more comforting options at greengiantvegetables.com.
Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Coming inside from a cold day calls for moments spent under a blanket, around a warm fire and curled up with a hot bowl of delicious, comforting food. From chili to pasta, your winter menu is sure to feature filling dishes that warm you and your loved ones from the inside out.
For example, you can beat the chill with Pumpkin Chili, which uses Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin for a thicker, creamier texture and subtly sweet, earthy flavor. Plus, it comes together in around 30 minutes as an easy solution for busy weeknights or weekend fun.
Switch up pasta night with Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese for a rich, velvety texture that features cheddar and gruyere cheeses, but you can substitute other favorites like Monterey Jack, fontina or gouda. The extra creamy texture and flavor from cream cheese means you can save time without making a traditional cream sauce using flour for added convenience.
These hearty, filling recipes feature delicious, nutritious and high-quality Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin that adds warmth to the menu all year long mixed into baked goods, morning smoothies and more. With special care and premium quality in mind, the non-GMO pumpkin grown in the USA without preservatives can be your new go-to.
To find more ways to warm up this winter, visit greengiantvegetables.com.
Pumpkin Chili
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- In Dutch oven over medium heat, heat oil. Add bell pepper and onion. Saute 5 minutes.
- Add ground turkey and separate with spatula. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin and garlic powder.
- Add broth, tomatoes and pumpkin. Bring to boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer 10 minutes. Add kidney beans and simmer 3 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 26 minutes
Servings: 10
- 1 1/2 pounds shell pasta
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 1/2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 1/2 cups freshly grated gruyere cheese
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta when al dente, about 8 minutes.
- In large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat butter. Add garlic and sage; saute 1-2 minutes, until garlic is lightly browned. Add cream cheese and pumpkin. Heat until cream cheese is melted and stir to combine.
- Gradually stir in milk, cheddar and gruyere. Stir in Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Heat until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Fold in cooked pasta.
SOURCE:
Green Giant
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(Feature Impact) Coughs and sniffles don’t have to derail you for long – not with a fresh, homemade stockpot full of Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup. Loaded with rotisserie chicken, celery and carrots, it’s sure to warm you from the inside-out as a warm, comforting meal. Plus, with eight servings, this dish can help solve dinnertime dilemmas throughout the week by storing leftovers in the refrigerator and reheating on the stove.
Warm up your winter meals with more comforting ideas available at Culinary.net.
Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup
Recipe adapted from Tastes Better from Scratch
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 3-4 large carrots, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 10 cups chicken stock or broth
- 1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- chicken bouillon cubes (optional)
- 4 cups dry egg noodles
- 3 cups cooked rotisserie chicken
- In large stockpot over medium-high heat, saute butter, celery and carrots 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add chicken stock or broth and season with rosemary, thyme and crushed red pepper. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Taste and add chicken bouillon cubes, if desired, for flavor.
- Bring to boil. Add noodles and cook until al dente. Remove from heat once noodles are tender.
- Add chicken. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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Last Updated on February 15, 2026 by Daily News Staff
A Medley of Garden Veggies
(Family Features) If your garden is overflowing, look no further than Thyme-Roasted Garden Veggies as a mouthwatering fall side dish. Zucchini, squash, tomato and carrot collide in this shareable dish that’s perfect for autumn get-togethers. Find main dishes to pair with these delicious roasted vegetables by visiting Culinary.net.
Thyme-Roasted Garden Veggies
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6- 2 zucchinis
- 2 yellow squashes
- 2 tomatoes
- 2 carrots
- avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons thyme
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Heat oven or grill to 425 F.
- Cut zucchinis, squashes, tomatoes and carrots into bite-sized pieces. Place on lined baking sheet. Drizzle with avocado oil. Sprinkle with thyme and garlic then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake or grill 30 minutes until fork tender.
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
