Last weekend I had my first taste of this season’s watermelon. It was juicy sweet, cool and refreshing on a hot summer day. Though it’s hard to improve on their natural flavor, did you know that melons, combined with other ingredients offer a pleasant surprise to the tastebuds.

If you are looking for an easy appetizer, try melon, mozzarella and prosciutto skewers.

Another combination of sweet and salty is Watermelon Salad, cubes of watermelon enhanced with feta cheese, onion, lime and a hint of fresh mint or basil.

Parched? Quench your thirst with Frozen Watermelon Lemonade. So good you’ll want to keep a batch of this icy, fruity slushie base in the freezer at all times, ready when you are to kick back and savor.

Any way you like it, melon rocks.

Melon, Mozzarella

and Prosciutto Appetizer

(This easy appetizer can be made ahead and refrigerated. Remove from refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving for best flavor.)

20 (1-inch) cantaloupe or honeydew cubes

20 thin slices prosciutto (1/2 pound)

20 fresh small mozzarella balls (8-ounce tub)

20 (4-inch) wooden skewers or large cocktail picks

Freshly cracked pepper

Directions: Thread 1 melon cube, 1 prosciutto slice (folded) and 1 mozzarella ball onto each skewer. Sprinkle with black pepper. Makes 20 skewers

Watermelon Salad

3/4 cup halved, thinly sliced red onion

1 T. fresh lime juice

6 cups seeded, cubed watermelon

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup pitted black olives, halved

1/2 cup fresh mint or basil, chopped

2 T. olive oil

1 T. balsamic vinegar

Directions: In small bowl combine onion and lime juice. Let stand 10 minutes.

In large bowl toss together watermelon cubes, feta, olives, onions and mint. Combine balsamic vinegar and olive oil and drizzle over salad. Serves 6.

Frozen Watermelon Lemonade

(So refreshing on a hot day)

3 cups cubed and seeded watermelon

1/2 cup raspberries

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/2 cup)

1 1/2 cups calorie-free strawberry flavored carbonated water, chilled

Directions: In blender container blend watermelon and raspberries until smooth. Strain juice through a fine sieve; discard pulp.

Combine sugar and water in small saucepan. Heat, stirring constantly, just until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Stir syrup and lemon juice into watermelon juice mixture. Pour into freezer container, cover and freeze until firm.

When ready to serve scoop mixture into tall glasses (an ice cream scoop works well). Pour 1/4 cup strawberry carbonated water over frozen juice in each glass. Serve immediately. Serves 6. Variation: Omit carbonated water and serve as sorbet.