Take along a strong back when visiting the farmers markets in August: a ten-pound watermelon will call, "Take me home! Eat me up!" Watermelons are inexpensive, easy to eat -- and with just a few minutes of research, there's more to watermelon than wedges. Here are 16 recipe ideas, all perfectly suited to hot summer days.

"We love watermelons. For us, watermelons and summers are synonymous. No fruit quenches thirst like the crunchy watermelon. True to its name, watermelons have very high water content about 92%. They are also an excellent of vitamins A, B and C, magnesium and potassium. Pink watermelons contain beta carotene and lycopene, a cancer-fighting anti oxidant." ~ read more about watermelon from Curry Bazaar

DRINKS

Laylita's Recipes ~ Watermelon Mimosa (pictured above)
Fresh Approach Cooking ~ how to spike a watermelon with vodka
Al Dente ~ Watermelon Lemonade

APPETIZERS

Foodie Tots ~ Watermelon Gazpacho (pictured above)
CookThink ~ Watermelon Pizza
Cook Almost Anything Once ~ Watermelon Cubes with Marinated Feta

SALADS

Inspired Bites ~ Cucumber & Watermelon Salad (pictured above)
The Recipe Girl ~ Grilled Watermelon Salad
Smitten Kitchen ~ Chopped Vegetable & Feta Salad

FROZEN TREATS

Ms Adventures in Italy ~ Watermelon Sorbetto (pictured above)
Eating Out Loud ~ Watermelon Ice Pops
Scrumptious Street ~ Watermelon Rhubarb Granita

DESSERTS

Not Eating Out in New York ~ Chilled Watermelon & Coconut Tapioca Soup (pictured above)
Culinary Concoctions by Peabody ~ Watermelon Cheesecake with Watermelon Fresca
Chew on That ~ Watermelon-shaped Almond Shortbread Cookies, these are way cute!

PICKLES
Su Good Eats ~ Pickled Watermelon Rind
AkshayaPatra ~ Watermelon Jam
A Crackin' Good Egg ~ Rose & Watermelon Jam

BlogHer food editor Alanna Kellogg thinks that Watermelon, Blueberry & Feta make for a great summer salad.