The heirloom Bradford Watermelon, long thought extinct, is being reintroduced to chefs, gardeners, and food enthusiasts around the world! Clemson Extension Agent and Host of "Making It Grow" Amanda McNulty visits Nat Bradford, a direct descendent of the original grower, in Sumter, SC. This story will follow the watermelons from the field on it's journey to become various products. We first travel to The Culinary Institute of the Carolinas at the Greenville Technical College where it is processed into molasses. Then from there we follow the watermelon rinds to Tuxedo, NC where they are pickled by Green River Picklers. Back on the farm we watch the family juice the melons for Six & Twenty Distillery in Piedmont, SC to use it for Watermelon Brandy and also for Carolina Bauernhaus Ales in Anderson, SC to use it for a sour beer. Lastly we follow the watermelon and the other products to Motor Supply in Columbia, SC where Chef Wes Fulmer uses it to create special dishes.
The Bradford Watermelon
July 30, 2018