Here it is, the last recipe in our five-week series of game day goodies, and this one brings the football theme to life in a very literal way. It’s the football cake. Actually, it’s not really a cake (good news for those who don’t want to bake). It’s more of a watermelon sculpture. A very simple, yet very cool sculpture.

FOOTBALL CAKE

INGREDIENTS

Large seedless oblong shaped watermelon
2 cups cream cheese frosting
Licorice strips

DIRECTIONS

Slice two of the sides lengthwise down the watermelon to expose a large watermelon surface on both sides. Cut a football shaped marquis out of the watermelon. Place the watermelon cut into a football shape on a platter. Slice into thin slices but leave assembled as a football. Decorate with the frosting and licorice ties to look like a football with stitches. Serves 18 to 24.

Fans of the Saskatchewan Roughriders – a professional football team in the Canadian Football League – have found another use for watermelons… as helmets. It seems “Rider Nation,” as the team’s fan base is called, has started a tradition in which true Roughrider fans show up to games wearing a hollowed out watermelon as headgear.

Apparently the trend has even caused a shortage of watermelons at supermarkets in the days preceding a game. Before the football league’s Grey Cup tournament in November 2009, thousands of watermelons had to be special ordered by Calgary grocery stores to keep up with the demands of Roughrider fans.

If you’re interested in making your own watermelon helmet – even if you just want to wear it around the house – here’s a video that teaches you how. I just hope all those fans found an equally good use for the watermelon they scooped out of the rinds before they put them on their heads.

There’s really nothing you can’t love about the name of this recipe. Watermelon? (Awesome.) Glazed? (Bring it!) Mini? (Okay, bigger is usually better when it comes to food, but let’s move on.) Barbeque? (Keep talkin’.) Meatballs? (Are you kidding? You had me at “watermelon.”)

Since the crock pot full of meatballs is a staple at just about any football gathering, this dish should fit right in. I can almost guarantee these meatballs would be great as part of a meatball sub. Or maybe just consumed by the bowlful while being dipped in bleu cheese dressing.

I should also mention that this recipe has only four ingredients. FOUR! And that’s including the meatballs!

WATERMELON GLAZED MINI BARBEQUE MEATBALLS

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
24-36 frozen prepared mini meatballs
1 cup prepared barbecue sauce
1 cup watermelon puree

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oil in a large heavy sauté pan over medium high heat or electric skillet set on 325°. Sauté the mini meatballs until browned and hot. Reduce heat to low. Mix together the barbecue sauce and watermelon puree. Pour over the meatballs and simmer for a few minutes. Serve hot. Serves 6 to 8.

I know I said I’d post these recipes every Sunday in January, but I couldn’t resist posting this one early. Don’t miss this Sunday’s recipe for watermelon glazed mini barbeque meatballs!

What’s a Super Sunday football party without a great salsa? And I’m not talking about the salsa you open and then pour into a bowl five minutes before everyone shows up. No, I’m talking a real, homemade salsa. Seriously, if you’ve never made homemade salsa, now’s the time and this is the recipe. Enjoy!

FIRE AND ICE SALSA

INGREDIENTS

3 cups seeded and chopped watermelon
1/2 cup green peppers
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon green onion
1-2 tablespoons jalapenõ peppers

DIRECTIONS

Combine ingredients; mix well and cover. Refrigerate 1 hour or more. Makes 3 cups.

Happy New Year everyone! We’ve turned the corner into a new decade, which is always an exciting time. Unlike the ‘80s or ‘90s, I have no idea what to call the next ten years, but we should all be used to that by now. Even after the previous 10 years, we still haven’t come to a consensus about what to call the last decade.

One of the things I’m excited to announce here on What About Watermelon in January is my weekly recipe series called “Super Sunday Recipes.” Each Sunday in January (and there are five of them), I’ll feature a different watermelon-related recipe that you can put to use at your celebration of football’s “Big Game” on February 7. I’d call the event what it is – let’s just say it’s a BOWL and it’s SUPER – but the football league has strict rules against using the official name due to copyright issues.

Anyhow, if you’re not throwing a “Bowl which is Super” party, chances are you’ll be going to one, so take a look at the upcoming Super Sunday Recipes for some ideas about what to make for the big day. To give you a taste of things to come, on January 10, I’ll be featuring some watermelon glazed mini barbeque meatballs that are sure to make you the MVP of whatever party you attend.