From the early 1300s until the mid-1500s, watermelon was part of the dishes served at the rich banquets of the Estense Court of Ferrara.

In the Ferrara area, watermelon cultivation plays a very important role and is widespread throughout the territory. Producers have been able to find suitable varieties for each type of soil. Thus, in clay and peaty soils such as Bondeno, Berra, Jolanda, Ostellato and Argenta the cultivation of the Crimson Sweet variety prevails.

In Codigoro, Mesola, Lagosanto and Comacchio, on the other hand, the Sugar Baby type prevails, which is well adapted to sandy soils. It is a typical summer fruit with a high water content, which, combined with its low sugar content, makes it an essentially thirst-quenching food. Eaten in slices or in fruit salads contained in its skin, always well chilled it represents a typical summer custom.