It is the middle of summer which means a large variety of fruits and vegetables are in season and at their peak flavor.

That is why I recommend taking a whole watermelon on your next camping trip.

Now only are they in season, delicious and reasonably priced right now, they are a perfect camping food because they do not need to be refrigerated. Actually they should not be refrigerated.

Research is showing room temperature watermelons have more nutrients in them than those that are cooled. Information I found at WebMD said that room temperature watermelons have more antioxidants in them than cooled ones including a higher level of lycopene (a powerful antioxidant) than in any other fresh fruit or vegetable.

Also, watermelons stored at room temperature will last longer than ones that are stored in a cooler or refrigerator. It seems crazy but the same article from WebMD that I referenced in the last paragraph says the average life of a watermelon is 14-21 days but that cooled ones will start to rot after about a week.

I used to avoid taking watermelon camping because I thought it had to be kept cold and I have limited fridge space. Keeping it in a cooler with ice never worked because it ended up freezing parts of the watermelon and turning it to mush.

But now I take at least one along on every camping trip. They come in their own handy storage container (the rind); they can be tucked in almost anywhere in your camper or vehicle (just be careful to not put them someplace where they will roll out the second you open a door); and they are delicious.

Plus, who doesn’t love fresh fruit? (but, if you are like me you don’t always take it camping because some summer fruits - especially peaches and plums - bruise easily and don’t last long).

So here’s my new summer motto, “Grab a watermelon and go camping!”