# How DARE you salt that watermelon! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 27, 2000, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034 "2000-07-27T11:55:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c2a13f/32.png) [@The\_Man\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_Who)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2000, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/61 "2000-08-08T19:02:00Z")
Boy this thread has reminded me of things–mostly the stuff my lovely wife, the Reverend Mrs. Meyer, will consume. Peanut butter and mayo sandwiches. Putting a LOT of salt on the french fry ketchup–RIGHT ON THE DANG KETCHUP! So I can’t even use it then. Popcorn and M&M’s (the peanut kind. Not too bad actually. But I’d have never thought of it.) Of course, the The Rev Who thinks I’m the gross one, but why are they called porn and beans then if you’re not supposed to pour them over pork chops? (I do pick out the Official-Van-Camps-Lump-o-Fat-Trade-Mark-Patent-Pending. Yucky.) And even she admits the light Pringles are better than the regular ones (Less salt! HA!) Humming a few bars of Food, Glorious Food… Cordially, Myron M. Meyer The Man Who ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2000, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/62 "2000-08-08T19:02:57Z")
cygnus, have you ever salted the plate before putting food on it so that your food gets salt on the underside without having to flip it? I like salt that much too. I have gone without lunch because there was no salt. ---
**Author:** ![Beacher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a6a055/32.png) [@Beacher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beacher)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2000, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/63 "2000-08-08T19:05:15Z")
My wife introduced me to a great sugar/salt combination when we started dating. At a movie, I was horrified when I saw her dump an entire bag of M&M’s into the tub-o-popcorn I had just bought her. But she persuaded me to try it, and I’ve got to say that it is now one of my favorite parts of going to a movie. ---
**Author:** ![AguyIKnow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9a140/32.png) [@AguyIKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AguyIKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2000, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/64 "2000-08-08T19:13:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pkbites \* > \*\*Ketchup IS the flavor. The hot dog is just along for the ride! \*\* Hot dogs…the perfect vehical for any condiment. Most often Mustard. Lots… Enough to make most people sick… mmmmm…mustard…Okay, now I want one. A Guy ---
**Author:** ![sharper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7cd45c/32.png) [@sharper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sharper)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2000, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/65 "2000-08-08T20:15:28Z")
You mean there are people who DON’T salt their watermelon? Salt on sliced apples is pretty good to. ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2000, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/66 "2000-08-08T20:21:21Z")
I’m a salter on all melons. And you can’t cook veggies in the south unless you use bacon grease or fatback. They just ain’t any good any other way. The sugar on the cabbage, collards, and turnip greens is pretty common too. ---
**Author:** ![45ACP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/e5b9ba/32.png) [@45ACP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/45ACP)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2000, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/67 "2000-08-08T21:52:39Z")
Oooh-that mention of cabbage reminded me of something even I hadn’t heard of until just the other day–Fried Slaw. Had it at Joel’s Restaurant in Trussville, Al. It’s kind of like Greek slaw (long shredded cabbage, spices, oil and vinegar dressing, etc.) and then hotted up in a skillet. MMMboy, it was good. Sour and crunchy and greasy and a little sweet and a little salty. Ymmm. ---
**Author:** ![chuk99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@chuk99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chuk99)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2000, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/68 "2000-08-08T21:58:33Z")
While I am not a watermelon salter, I am reminded of an interesting scene in the film BLAZE (1989) in which Louisiana Governor Earl Long (Paul Newman) and stripper Blaze Starr (Lolita Davidovich) are making love while eathing watermelon, and liberally salting it. If you are disgusted at the idea of salting a watermelon, maybe a nude and bouncing Lolita Davidovich will change your mind. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Mxyzptlk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@Mr\_Mxyzptlk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Mxyzptlk)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/69 "2000-08-09T01:08:03Z")
Damn right I salt my watermelon…And my cantaloupe…and my muskmelon, scrambled eggs, tomatoes, etc…Don’t understand what the fuss is about. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Mxyzptlk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@Mr\_Mxyzptlk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Mxyzptlk)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/70 "2000-08-09T01:15:41Z")
I think that dinner time must be pretty lively around the Meyer household when Mrs Meyer serves up the porn, beans and porks chops…Sounds like the perfect meal for a Dopefest. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/71 "2000-08-09T01:34:25Z")
I actually like sprinkling some ground black pepper on … POUND CAKE. I tried putting pepper on oatmeal once, but it just didn’t do as well. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/72 "2000-08-09T01:38:43Z")
Beacher wrote: > [@](#): > > My wife introduced me to a great sugar/salt combination when we started dating. At a movie, I was horrified when I saw her dump an entire bag of M&M’s into the tub-o-popcorn I had just bought her. But she persuaded me to try it, and I’ve got to say that it is now one of my favorite parts of going to a movie. Wouldn’t be so bad if not for all that greasy butter on the popcorn… ---
**Author:** ![Kyberneticist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kyberneticist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyberneticist)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/73 "2000-08-09T02:18:16Z")
Now, I happen to like bizaare foods myself. (try peanut butter and tomato sandwiches, with a touch of garlic salt or pepper), and I agree that salt can enhance the taste of sweet (by contrast) and help with other flavours. But some of the people in this thread seem to put salt on **everything**. And a lot of these bizaare salt addicts seem to be from down South. As one person mentioned, salt is used in candy and a lot of other foods in Mexico. Could this be part of the general tendency in hot countries to have salty food in order to replace salt lost through sweating? I’ve also heard that spicy foods also became common in equatorial countries because spices like pepper help in preservation (which is in fact why pepper was worth its weight in gold when the arabs were putting the squeeze on the european pepper trade, was essential for preserving meat). Hm. It could indeed mean that those poor souls are not only suffering from a cultural disorder, but possibly a genetic proclivity towards salt. Well, we can only hope for their salvation. Excuse me while I go make a sandwich… ---
**Author:** ![vd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b19c9b/32.png) [@vd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vd)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/74 "2000-08-09T02:24:23Z")
Both my parents’ families (from SD & IA) salt watermelon. I don’t care either way so I usually don’t bother. Flavor enhancer? Anyone willing to try watermelon sprinkled with MSG? Other combinations this all reminds me of… I put cocoa in baked beans once when I was out of Molasses. Just enough to give it a nice depth. I remember many late nights at Denny’s in high school dipping fries into chocolate shakes. ---
**Author:** ![Irish\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b2d939/32.png) [@Irish\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irish_Red)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/75 "2000-08-09T02:39:45Z")
I like salty melons with a shot of tequila :p. But seriously, it’s a rule in Mississippi that you eat salt on your watermelon. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/76 "2000-08-09T03:44:22Z")
Other great combinations: Fruity roll ups, wrapped around pretzels. Reeces Peanutbutter Cups and pretzels.Bite of Reeces with a small pretzel…YUMMY! ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/77 "2000-08-09T05:25:14Z")
**Lib** wrote: > [@](#): > > But watermelon is supposed to be sweet, not salty! Obviously, you’ve never tried it, although I can’t imagine how you could have made it to your majority without having done so. Salt _makes the watermelon sweeter_. Try it, you’ll see. Before reading this thread, I actually had the impression that 90% of watermelon eaters will salt them. In the summer, I eat about one a week. Just me, because my wife doesn’t like watermelon (I regularly accuse her of having commie tendencies because of this). ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/78 "2000-08-09T06:37:38Z")
A while back someone mentioned sugar on Chilli…While My wife does that, and salts the kechup/catsup for her fries to my disgust, I do add a tablespoon of sugar to my spagetti recipie and my chilli. It does cut the acidic quaility of the tomato sauce/paste or fresh tomatoes when I cook…I don’t add enough to make the food actualy taste sweet. ( I also add a touch of cinnimon to the chilli, and a dash of vanilla to the spagetti sauce, and I get raves for them both.) ---
**Author:** ![Notluf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/fbc32d/32.png) [@Notluf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Notluf)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/79 "2000-08-09T06:44:53Z")
In response to 45ACP, I too remember family members putting salted peanuts into Coke bottles. I myself have tried it on many occasions and it was great. The key here is that it had to be a real glass bottle. Putting peanuts into Coke cans or plastic bottles tastes a lot different. I guess the salt changed the flavor of the Coke slightly, not to mention that it would be flat a lot sooner, and the peanuts must of complimented the flavor slighty. Anyways, it is a childhood memory now as finding glass bottles of Coke has now been reduced to a summer time sales pitch where for a few weeks in our area, they actually sell it (at inflated prices of course) for the old timers in the community (no deposit on the bottles of course!) ---
**Author:** ![UFO\_Charlie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@UFO\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UFO_Charlie)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2000, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034/80 "2000-08-09T06:55:47Z")
I think this may have actually started from the Israeli farming practice of watering watermelons with saltwater to make them sweeter. (The salt apparently spooks the shit out of the melon, causing it to go into sugar-production hyperdrive.) Anyhow, there you go. And, for my 2 cents, salted watermelon doesn’t sound half bad. It sounds approximately .372018 bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-you-salt-that-watermelon/27034.md?page=5)