I Tried the WILD TikTok Watermelon Tuna So You Don't Have To

[@MerleONeal]

WHOOPS okay you'd think after years I'd know the right conversion but 350ºF is 180ºC NOT 204ºC lol sorryyyy

[@one-eyepadidally8449]

Yo, wtf Merle? I just went to watch your recent video *“3 High-Protein Lentil Recipes (Healthy Vegan Meals)”* and you privated it so we can’t watch it. _WHY??_ I’m always looking for dishes to make with lentils, so it bummed me out to see you hide it with 24 hours of publishing it.

[@TheGallicWitch]

I'm a "meat eater" (though I don't view myself as such) who watches your videos and many other vegan or vegetarian creators because I find the community's creativity around food, nutrients and innovation to be always inspiring and worth learning from. This constant war of disdain that vegans and non-vegans seem to be constantly engaged in is unfortunate and unproductive. I rolled my eyes so hard at those comments you cited at the start of the video. I'm here cause I'm curious about how you'd make watermelon into tuna and I enjoy your videos in general. And if I can find some more tips to diversify my plant-based mental cookbook (since that's basically all I eat), then that's a bonus!

[@jaciw]

I really really appreciate this comment

[@j96700]

Yes! 🥰

[@zhenhao8982]

most based comment and it's a shame that the online community has barely moved on from early-2010s discourse around plant-based food

[@sese8976]

@@zhenhao8982 its because being vegan or vegitarian is asociated with being woke and anything woke is getting blasted so collateral damage done by a minor but loud minority sadly

[@way9883]

I feel 100% the same! 😭 I am non vegan (non vegetarian, even) but I love vegan recipes that's affordable and accessible for me, for example tofu recipes (as tofu is basically a protein staple in my country so they're cheap and easy to find) or mushroom recipes. The way that some people think you've to be vegan to consume "vegan foods" is bizzare because vegans basically eat anything that "omnivore" humans eat.

[@zhenhao8982]

its so cute that Merle and Aria are still going strong

[@jon6451]

I was thinking the same thing!! During the process of the cooking I was wondering if they were still together, and when she said his name I was so happy hahah

[@candicechruscial8885]

I’m such an old-fashioned romantic. I love when couples stay together and they are so cute for each other.

[@davidshepard-alenko4232]

I agree with you. if you treat this as something meant to be fun and silly project, it's a good time. there's no purpose whatsoever in making this for an actual meal that offers so little nourishment. which does make it a little bit harder to justify the time investment. but if you're bored, hey why not? no reason for the hate!

[@MerleONeal]

That's the spirit

[@trapper-orbiter6284]

I'm a sushi chef at a vegan sushi joint where we make watermelon tuna. Peeling the watermelon and cutting it into the shapes you want before. cooking it is way more efficient than trying to remove the rind afterward also use silpats to avoid mess. This was hard to watch 😂

[@zoetjez]

Yes lol. I thought it was kind of weird that the whole melon went in the oven. I don't think keeping the skin on or off changes the taste? It also takes way less time if you cut it before.

[@kelsey2333]

Putting the whole melon in gets more attention online so that's probably why the original creator did it like that and Merle just did what the original did. But yeah your way seems much better lol

[@funmif30]

Aww, you and Aria were matching. I love your dress! As much as I love your "normal" food videos for inspiration, I love the chaos of these ones

[@baileys1004]

it's easier to get the residue off of dishes/pans/etc when you add some baking soda alongside hot water and let that mixture sit for a bit :) it softens up everything super well

[@monkeygirl55]

Girl pull the oven rack out to flip the melon 😂😂

[@MerleONeal]

I WAS AFRAID IT WAS GONNA EXPLODE

[@monkeygirl55]

@@MerleONeal😂

[@strawberrysoymilkshake]

This is me with anything hot I am so afraid

[@kelbh]

I'm more of a vagueitarian at best but as much as I roll my eyes at some of these viral videos I'm thrilled that there's channels like you who take it seriously and try it to see if it's genuinely a viable option for those who miss things like sushi! I do wonder if pairing this with a dish that contains tofu would be a proper substitute for a full & complete meal once in a while honestly, it looked really good 😂

[@MerleONeal]

Totally! I think filling it out a bit would be a good idea, because it is quite tasty

[@CorineT]

Tbh I love your videos where you made substitutes, it was the main reason I got hooked! Just love the work and effort you put into it - and yes obviously it’s not going to be nutrition packed but I feel like that’s not the point of these subs anyway ❤

[@PeiPeisMom]

Ok, hear me out---I know you have some of that left in the fridge still, right? So just for sh!ts and giggles, why not sear off a piece of the marinated watermelon with a little canola oil in a screaming hot pan, then baste a little bit more of the marinade on it, and try it. It's yet another step in this dish, yes, but I feel like that might take it over the top

[@MerleONeal]

o0o0o0oo0o00ooooo

[@lindamoulton1560]

Hey Merle! I recently started cleaning my cookware (well the stuff that needs a deep clean) with Baking Soda, if you're looking for an alternative to just soaking in soapy water (I sprinkle the pan with a couple of heaping tablespoons of Baking Soda, let it sit and then scrub it and rinse- uses way less water, does require some muscle work but works amazingly for some kinds of food stains- like Soy Sauce, Beet Juice, Maple Syrup etc.)

[@MerleONeal]

thank you so much!!!

[@pablozamora5430]

It is best of you cut the watermelon in small pieces (or at your whim), put it in the oven, let it cool and then marinade it in the fridge. It cuts the oven time to only 30 mins or less and it is much more efficient.

[@Bladblazer420]

I love you yapping! Thats why i wanted your streams, miss them a lot tbh

[@TheAmazingRusski]

I'd try letting it cool then tossing the slices in a bag of the marinade to sit in the fridge overnight. (Maybe just an hour if they'd fall apart after that long). The day after heat some oil or vegan butter in a cast iron and sear them for a minute or two then serve.

[@user-ud6hq1om5c]

loved this video! Also that dress is so cute on you 💜

[@MerleONeal]

Thank you!!

[@sydneydelix6071]

Merlee, I have theeee recipeee for the summertime. If you are doing a bbq, then get out your watermelon. Slice it and marinate it in soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil. Marinate it for like two hours and then you bbq it (preferably on a coal bbq so you get that smokey taste, if not, add some liquid smoke). Then eat it like this or cube it up and add it to your pokebowls 😍

[@papahewitt]

Thanks for taking the time to make this. Your videos are always great ✌🏽 I bet this would be good in sushi.

[@b.morgan.creates]

You could aim for a smoked salmon? try getting a load of really thin slices - deli meat style - and marinading in a nori, msg and liquid smoke suspension in something like oat milk.

[@MerleONeal]

this is not a bad idea

[@nurulabidahnajihahjaini9317]

Not a vegan, but i actually like a lot of vegan recipes out there. So, i always search for new recipes to try.

[@cathleenst2443]

We eat a lot of vegan sushi, (shout out to Shizen in SF), but we’ve never tried the watermelon tuna idea. I’m going to try to turn this into a tekka don, or even a sushi inspired salad, with the watermelon tuna, sushi rice, shiso, maybe some green onion, a bit of wasabi, some pickled ginger, cucumber and a touch of umeboshi. Thanks for doing the TikTok browsing so I don’t have to! I detest TikTok, but I have to admit that there are some gems floating in the vast sea of rubbish that is most of TikTok!

[@Oonagh72]

I just pan cooked some watermelon and it was so good! I never would have believed it. It was great before the marinade too! If anyone asks about the protein, just mix some nutritional yeast into the rice. You’re good to go.

[@EmorettaRobinson]

I never thought to put a whole watermelon in the oven before. It looked interesting though. My video suggestions would be the Dubai chocolate bar. I don't happen to live in a city that sells the kunafe. Online it seems to cost a lot to purchase. So I've wondered about making it from scratch. Also have you thought of doing a video on the Glucose Goddess recommendation of eating green leafy veggies first, then protein and then starchy carbs?

[@Flexywhip]

Merle and Aria are soo cute ❤ such chemistry

[@Bladblazer420]

You give me so much inspiration, thank you. Also i love your dress! Where is it from? ❤

[@MerleONeal]

it was thrifted!!

[@justin_g_smith]

The watermelon puns in the Squarespace section were topnotch as always

[@VivaaLaaLyssaa]

I love that dress on Merle ✨️

[@MerleONeal]

[@alisoncarroll]

It’s absolutely stunning on her ❤

[@plum.preserves]

more yapping please merle!! 💜 bg3 mentioned?!? 👀 who's your favorite companion? 😊

[@blacklipstick0239]

This is one of the times I’ll say I’m glad I don’t like seafood, cuz if this was the vegan substitute 😭😭 love the video though Merle

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

5 11..... My trick for cleaning burnt stuff is boiling water for 7 mins then scrape the crud off with the dirty utensil. The way that stuff was bubbling means it's mostly sugar.... Just boil the water in a pot, not in the baking dish. 8 31.... You could try halving the watermelon lengthwise and roasting it that way. It might help get rid of all that juice.

[@Lilyibanez]

I'm sure this would be good as a carpaccio type of dish, like with some mushrooms, lemon, olive oil and some bread or crackers 🤔

[@julesnixdorf7376]

Wooowww... aria's getting buff!

[@eudesenvolvedor]

Here she comes with watermelon again. I love it 🍉

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

Watermelon sugar *sigh* lmao

[@genehayes]

Have you tried golden beet poke?? SO good!!

[@MerleONeal]

never heard of it!! i dont think i've ever had a golden beet!

[@CaseyPlants]

Her personality is totally a vibe

[@abundanz]

I love going on a vegan diet for at least a month every year. It gives me an amazing feeling of lightness and feeling of wellbeing which, when I try to explain it to my meat eating / dairy consuming friends, I feel that they don’t understand . And because I feel so strongly about it and I only want to help them, I feel that I may be coming across as preachy or crazy to them. I mean how can I explain to them that after a few weeks of veganism and eating 3 regular meals a day … I actually start to have 4 timely bowel movements a day? One when I wake up … and one exactly after each meal . This is something which brings a feeling of wellbeing and happiness ? They just look at me with a grossed out facial expression. Anyway, being preachy is something many vegans tend to do… and then you have the fanatical aggressive vegans whom everyone hates because they try to impose their view and berate non vegans. As for Watermelon “Tuna” and a slew of imitation meats like “Chicken” pressed tofu … these things are very yummy but they taste nothing like tuna or chicken . You spend hours in the kitchen and a lot of money sourcing some ingredients… not to end up disappointed. You’re deluding yourself if you eat this watermelon and tell yourself it’s Tuna. It’s like kids pretending to drink tea out of a miniature play tea set.

[@village_vegan]

Strange recipes are back yeeeeesss!😂

[@shnom10]

Literally the first thing I thought when you opened the oven was like wow I hope she used a cheap pan because that’s gonna be a pain to clean. LOL 😂

[@MerleONeal]

😅

[@shnom10]

@@MerleONeal so did it get clean? That’s my concern. Cause I don’t want my family to murder me if I ruin a pan. lol

[@kyracheera9007]

Yes we need to know if you were able to clean it!! 😅

[@MerleONeal]

@@shnom10 It DID!! I soaked it with soap and vinegar! It's also naturally nonstick so that was a HUGE help

[@strawberrysoymilkshake]

Ahh the beginning reminded me how much I already a crush on you when you worked on goodful

[@CurlyAndCurvy]

I cackled at "side sleepers be like" 😂😂😂

[@MerleONeal]

THANK U

[@cheris5868]

my mom usually pre cut the watermelon for us and put it in the fridge, some of the watermelon at the bottom suck up some moisture from the other watermelon and would have this "fleshy" feel to it so i'm not surprise by the "hack", I dont think its for everyone tho since i personally find it gross

[@anwiel]

That looks great! Prices of watermelon in Czech Republic are absolutely crazy, but I really want to try it. Note to myself, use baking paper 😅

[@MerleONeal]

10000% use baking paper

[@VerifiedVegan]

This was so Freakin weird…good thing I’m weird. what does it smell like baking??! 🤔😂

[@MerleONeal]

It smelled savory!!! idk how to explain it! it smelled like more like the rind i gues??

[@Dwoalin]

🎶 Watermelon tuna highh... watermelon tuna... highhhhhhh!

[@Prinren]

“Refleshing” well it surely is reFLESHing now

[@sarana6045]

That dress is everything! Where did you get it?

[@MerleONeal]

I thrifted it!!

[@brizzleyoh]

Not you rubbing table salt onto the outside of the watermelon 😂😂

[@jury2323]

Rice, avo, melon: that would make a killer sushi roll!

[@MerleONeal]

maybe some tofu too!! just for added protein hehhee

[@flclinutri]

Ok buy Aria looks so buff in this vid. Makes Merle look so smol

[@itscarolinemary]

refleshing watermelon 🍉 ✨

[@lupinashton8913]

I’d you have a good dehydrator or a press ire thing a majig you can infuse watermelon with another flavor after removing the initial juice I mean why not

[@suzbackstrom]

I wonder if the texture could be improved (more bite) by dehydrating the watermelon and then rehydrating it?

[@MerleONeal]

not a bad idea! I'm just nowhere near dedicated enough for that bahahaha

[@l1233799]

That wipe cloth on the fridge looks like a pink mother Theresa penguin reaching out with one of it's flippers for a handshake...

[@beanmachine917]

I really wanna try whatever drugs you take to be able to see that lol

[@sunny5ma]

Our vegan queen has given us a bonus video??? Don't mind if I do!! You are TOO FUNNY Merle!! Ahahaha 😂😂😂😂 Also, always soo good to see Aria in these, always !! ❤❤❤ ciao for now, can't wait for the next one! 🎉

[@TERView]

i like your yapping though .__.

[@anthropomorphicpeanut6160]

About the intro... By that same logic, why eat watermelon at all? We just eat it because it tastes good. Simple as that

[@mynvision]

Saw title and came for the entertainment. I wasn't disappointed. 🤣Love the dress, btw.

[@MerleONeal]

Glad you had fun! and tyyyy

[@sharonknorr1106]

Always line your pans with parchment paper or foil - looking at that pan was painful. I don't like watermelon to begin with, so maybe I would like this since you said it really doesn't taste like watermelon after roasting. May try this just for fun and see what happens. Can you lend me your dress, though, so I can get the full effect - so cute.

[@johannebeerbaum1546]

Line your pan with parchment for easier cleanup.

[@samanthaaiello]

Watermelon tuna hiiiigh 🎶 watermelon tuna hiiiigh 🎵

[@samanthaaiello]

Jokes aside: I love this idea. Sure, there is not much in the way of nutrients, but it is beautiful. Sometimes, we want our meal to be vibrant and eye-catching. Little salmon nigiri or sushi platter with this? So pretty! You can get your protein elsewhere. It’s ok to eat with our eyes too.

[@lillianv6805]

Does anyone have recs for getting fish sauce substitute thats vegetarian or vegan and NOT pineapple based? I can only find pineapple based ones around me and I am very allergic :(

[@wfaddwadadw]

melon-choly 🤣 would love to try this... probably even be good with a watermelon that is too mature/ripe/gone bad

[@MerleONeal]

thank you for appreciating the puns

[@magorzatagaazka2971]

I’ve tried watermelon tuna in a restaurant and it was fantastic❤

[@Aria.Inthavong]

Gollum at the end 😢

[@josetieneoro]

I need the Baldurs Gate videos asap❤

[@PinkRose0910]

I think it would be good in a cold watery type of salad without lettuce. Otherwise use the marinade on tofu for a fish substitute.

[@m.riverscomegys8100]

Love Aria’s shirt.

[@Dindonmasker]

Would it make a good tartar?

[@trishna_6815]

350F is 176C. 400F is 206C. just in case non-USians are trying this and wondering why its burnt. 350f is a moderate oven, 400f is a hot oven.

[@jerotoro2021]

Due to his incredible speed, USian Bolt knew this already 😂

[@flayuhat]

What the fuck is a USian, you can't even pronounce that. Just say American

[@shannonfauwkes9941]

I love the meat substitute recipes, and I still eat meat! The substitutes are helpful for folks who have to cut down their cholesterol for healthy heart diets - going vegan a few days a week for 3 months improved my health significantly, so I'm always looking for ways to make vegan foods more attractive to myself and my housemates. Anyone know if caper brine is a decent substitute for vegan fish sauce? I've used it to flavor vegan shrimp, but idk if it's the same or not.

[@mikki_s1100]

As a rarely meat eater as long as the people eating the substitutes like them then I’m happy for them! I’ve even found swaps I like for the majority of the infrequent meat I was eating thanks to chill Vegan KZbinrs. I strongly dislike meat texturally so eat almost none, and I prefer the even texture of meat replacements over the chew of meat. I hate when people make comments like you showed bc I find it rude and unproductive.

[@bokchoiman]

I imagine it would be even more triggering if you called it a meatball

[@Skenjin]

Wonder if using a rotisserie thing would work at all for roasting the water melon.

[@critically.panned]

They’ve been trying to turn watermelon into meat for years and it never goes well 😭

[@Mialuvsveggies]

no to the watermelon tuna but I LOVE your dress 🙂

[@CBEEBLE]

You two are SO frickin cute ❤

[@carlschjelderup5532]

You're awesome!

[@MerleONeal]

no YOU!

[@NZKiwi87]

God I LOVE that yellow dress on you!

[@MerleONeal]

you're too kind!

[@MarioFaker]

Is that the ballroom dress Belle wore in Beauty and the Beast?

[@MerleONeal]

She let me borrow it

[@NinjanessXO]

Where can I get this dress thoooo 😭

[@Aria.Inthavong]

Watermelon sugar site hehehe

[@Ewonder78]

Sorry but for the first minute all i could notice was that lovely mustard dress and how adorable you look in it.

[@KylaFuller]

My problem is the watermelon disrespect. It’s not meant to be cooked and feels like waste of perfectly good already vegan goodness food.

[@ayshnitandon6293]

Girl what 😭

[@gracehirschfeld]

Wait when did aria get that buff

[@kmartistheman]

I'd be surprised if Tom Brady wasn't in love with this recipe.

[@mitaskeledzija6269]

I'm throwing hands if I got served this..

[@sumaraahmad5567]

🎉🎉

[@Clowanda]

Cooking in that cute outfit?! Ok Nara Smith 😂 jk jk

[@Lppt87]

I don’t like sushi, I hate sushi, so when I saw that recipe for me was like, double ewgh… because something I already dislike became more… weird. Maybe is the girl’s video attitude, her eyes looking at the camera convincing the viewers to prefer a watermelon with spices over real protein loaded tuna. But tbh, this video was fun, I won’t make it, I prefer to enjoy my watermelon in my bed watching movies eating with a spoon. But sure, was fun. Thanks. ❤

[@mzdiamondlover]

Is it weird that I felt bad for the watermelon in the oven? 😂

[@bokchoiman]

350 F is actually closer to 180 C, not 207

[@hettiebrigham8413]

It look good so maybe. Watermelon high

[@sandrodellisanti1139]

Ciao, but i don't like tiktok and all this social media Things.. 😂 many greetings from a Veggie from brunswick in Germany and please stay safe 🙃

[@oAgL214]

I get the look and perhaps texture BUT FLAVOR? nope. It's too sweet to be a good meat substitute.

[@BSTYLEECO]

Sorry!

[@TSUtauSeries]

❤❤❤

[@dawncurry5757]

The Psycho music…haha.

[@DimasFajar-ns4vb]

zamzam water

[@Kelly-mi1yz]

NO.