Fruit Salad Basket

Ingredients:

• 1 large watermelon (about 15 pounds)
• 2 cantaloupes
• 2 honeydew melons
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup fresh lime juice
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons orange flavored liqueur (optional)
• 2 teaspoons grated lime peel
• 3 cups fresh strawberries (sliced, washed, hulled and halved)
• 2 cups black or red seedless grapes (washed and halved)

Directions

Carving the Basket

Lay a dampened dish towel on a counter or table and place melon on top to prevent it from rolling.

With a water-soluble marker, draw outline of basket onto melon, making sure that the handle is at least 1¼ inches wide.

Using a large sharp knife, carefully cut melon along marker line.

Remove excess rind and set aside. With a melon baller, scoop out all the watermelon flesh and place in a large glass or ceramic bowl; set aside.

With a vegetable peeler, even out scalloped edges of watermelon. Cover watermelon basket with clear plastic wrap and set aside.

Making the Fruit Salad

With a melon baller, scoop out flesh of cantaloupes and honeydews.

In a large bowl, combine sugar, lime juice, lemon juice, orange liqueur and lime peel. Stir well.

Add all melon balls, strawberries and grapes; toss to combine. Allow fruit to chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Just before serving, transfer fruit salad to watermelon basket.