I bought a very large seeded watermelon from the store about eight days ago. I'm not sure how ripe it might be in my question is should I open it up to see, should I go ahead and slice it up, or is it fairly safe to wait until next Saturday when my in-laws are coming in to crack it open?
I know there is a lot of variability here. Looking for best guesses.

If you slice it now it won't keep. I'd put it in a fridge or cooler on ice and it "should" be good still for another week. Just my best guess. No guarantees.

The wife got sick with colitis and I didn't want to cut open a 30 inch long watermelon just for myself. So the question is go ahead and dig in this weekend or wait a week?

Thanks for your advice. I just cut it open and it's fairly decent but definitely is not as crisp so I'm glad I didn't wait.

Cut it up and blend it, makes great watermelon juice. Super hydrating and helps regulate your BP, too.

Tajin on watermelon is awesome.

Eat it with Feta

Bruce Almighty said:

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Tajin on watermelon is awesome.

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YAS.

AggieBarstool said:

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Bruce Almighty said:

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Tajin on watermelon is awesome.

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YAS.

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?

Tajin is good, even their extra hot habanero version. But for summertime watermelon fun, I prefer salt and fresh lime.

Grill it.

No seriously grill it.

I like tequila with my watermelon juice!

Duncan Idaho said:

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Grill it.

No seriously grill it.

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I'm seeing grilled and/or pickled watermelon show up on a lot of menus this summer. Definitely seems pretty trendy but it doesn't do much for me.

Paul Dirac said:

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The wife got sick with colitis and I didn't want to cut open a 30 inch long watermelon just for myself. So the question is go ahead and dig in this weekend or wait a week?

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Did your wife tell you it was 30" or did you measure it?

62strat said:

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Paul Dirac said:

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The wife got sick with colitis and I didn't want to cut open a 30 inch long watermelon just for myself. So the question is go ahead and dig in this weekend or wait a week?

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Did your wife tell you it was 30" or did you measure it?

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My wife loves to put lime on her watermelon

Duncan Idaho said:

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Grill it.

No seriously grill it.

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This. To make it the center of a meal… compress it then grill it.

Then cube it, mix with artichoke hearts, arugula, basil or mint, cucumber, feta, red onion, chopped dill, toss in a sweeter balsamic (I use honey as the emulsifier), and you have a hell of a refreshing summer salad.

Add in some toasted pumpkin seeds or pine nuts to give it some more texture and a little more protein if you want.