A New York City restaurant is serving up whole smoked watermelon ham. Yes, you read that correctly: watermelon ham. It’s watermelon smoked like a meat—and the internet is troubled by it.
The plant-based and vegan-friendly dish takes about four to six days to prepare and is only available for patrons who order it at least a week in advance, BuzzFeed reports.
“We’re famous for our smoked meats, and we wanted some more vegan and vegetarian options,” William Horowitz, chef and owner of Ducks Eatery, explains in a video interview with Food Insider. “We simply do the same thing that we’ve been doing for thousands of years to meats, but we do it to a melon.”
The recipe for preparing watermelon ham looks almost identical to that of any typical ham. The watermelon is soaked in a mixture of coriander, salt, and oregano, then left to dry and smoke for half a day. Ash is used to give the melon a “skin-like” texture, and then the melon is soaked in its own juices before serving.
“We do all these techniques that might seem really strange, but they’re actually pretty normal. And they’re delicious,” Horowitz says.
In response, people have expressed deep concern about the mind-boggling dish, some horrified by the spectacle and others intrigued with how it may taste.
every time i see that watermelon cooked like a ham i want to gouge my eyes out
— Kayla (@kayco320) August 8, 2018
You’re as disappointing and unsatisfying as a Watermelon Ham.
— Absynth Lover (@seegreenfairys) August 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/ChristinaPgh/status/1027288692224942091
This smoked watermelon looking like ham thing is bothering me…..and I also want a slice. I’m confused
— DT3 (@dabigjoker) August 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/looks_last/status/1027259370005057536
Dear @DucksEatery please dm me your watermelon ham recipe. I want to make this madness.
— Alex Cragun (@AlexCragun) August 8, 2018
But if you have a hankering for a watermelon full of savory, smokey, and juicy flavors, you’ll just have to fork over $75.
H/T BuzzFeed
