It's a neighborhood gathering -- maybe Labor Day? -- and you're asked to bring a fruit salad. Don't just hollow out a watermelon and toss in a variety of fruit. Show up with watermelon carving that looks like a turtle.

This will be one fruit presentation no one will forget. Inspired by ideas from the National Watermelon Promotion Board, I made patterns for the head, flippers and shell out of construction paper, then traced the patterns on the watermelon shell.

I used a sharp knife to cut out the body parts. To make the block design on the shell, I used the tip of a vegetable peeler.

The Watermelon Board's Web site watermelon.org. offers 30-plus clever and fun carvings such as a pig, a ladybug or treasure chest. Check out the football helmet and the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Also in the Mailbox this week, lots more requests from readers:

Lisa Krechtel, Mt. Lebanon: "The Tambellini's on Wood Street had the best homemade tartar sauce. I wonder if anyone remembers or has the recipe."

Carol Licht, Elizabeth: "I love the Tuscan Potato Sausage Soup at the Olive Garden. It doesn't have a real thick potato taste and just a hint of spice with the sausage. Can you come up with a recipe close to that since I am sure the Olive Garden will not give out their recipe?"

Lee Martell, Erie: "Is there any way to get the recipe for Atria's wonderful Sherry Crab Soup? Probably not, but some of your readers may have a similar recipe."

Karey Vanderwater, Cranberry: "I am looking for peppadew, a fruit grown in South Africa. These peppers supposedly have a very distinct flavor and are addictive. Searches on the Web have turned up a few different varieties -- hot, sweet, a shake-on sauce, a mango chutney. However, the shipping costs normally are more than the product itself. I am hoping your readers will be able to tell me where, locally, I can purchase these peppers."

Anne Fessenden, Uniontown: "I have been searching for a recipe for Vermont Blueberry Glory Cake. It is essentially a spicy blueberry cake with cranberries, coconut and pecans."

Meanwhile, the quest for Hungarian cupcakes goes on: In the Kitchen Mailbox of April 19, 2007, Pam Giesler of Cabot wrote, "I am desperately trying to find the recipe for Hungarian cupcakes. They were dense cupcakes filled with chocolate with a chocolate icing." A few weeks later we received a response from Sherry Lautman of Squirrel Hill who told us that Simple Treat Bakery in Squirrel Hill sold them, which we confirmed. Now, Marie Nigro of Morningside writes: "I am wondering if you could get the recipe for Hungarian Cupcakes from the now-closed Simple Treat Bakery. These were not your traditional type of cupcake -- these were more of a coffeecake/muffin type of confection with smooth rich chocolate in the center." Anyone with this or a similar recipe please send it to us.

PG TESTED

• 1 oblong watermelon
• Melon baller
• Sharp knives
• Vegetable peeler
• 2 peppercorns, or other eye pieces such as chocolate chips
• Construction paper
• Leaves, plants, or other accents as desired
• Toothpicks or other skewers
• Assorted fruit, (cantaloupe, berries, grapes)

Wash and dry watermelon. Cut a thin slice from the bottom of the watermelon to make a stable base. Cut the watermelon in half horizontally. Hollow out both sides using a melon baller. Place the melon balls in a large bowl and refrigerate.

Carve out the body parts. Place assorted fruit and melon in the hollowed-out melon. Place the turtle shell over the fruit. Attach legs and head to shell, using strong toothpicks or skewers, and put shell on top of salad. To attach eyes, dip chips in hot water. They'll stick to the watermelon.

-- watermelon.org