Orange Melon Ice

Seasonal Fruit

As often as possible I try to buy fruit when in season. Cantaloupes are in season here in CR at the moment. Large melons can be found now for a little over one dollar each! Thankfully my daughter, Mrs. Sayuri, favors them.

Recently I went to cut a cantaloupe that had been ripening on our counter. I found that it was a bit over ripe — almost mush but not rotten. I had caught it just before it turned. Even though I couldn’t stomach eating it because of the mushy texture, I did not  want it to go to waste. I tossed the cutup melon in the blender intending to make fresh melon juice out of it.

Then the idea came to me that I should make a frozen treat from it instead.

Melon Ice

I found this recipe for Cantaloupe Sorbet on Recipe Zaar. Yum!

Ingredients:

• 1 large ripe cantaloupe, peeled,seeds removed,and cut into chunks
• 1/3 cup sugar (I used about 1/4 cup)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (only had lime juice on hand)

Directions:

1. Put the cantaloupe chunks into the container of an electric blender.
2. Puree until mixture is smooth.
3. Measure 4 cups of puree and discard the rest.
4. Return the 4 cups of puree back to the blender; add in the sugar and lemon juice.
5. Pulse quickly to blend.
6. Transfer mixture to a bowl; cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
7. Freeze mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions.

After we scooped our melon sorbet into our bowls, Hubby felt it needed a bit more punch and suggested that the addition of orange juice would be nice. We proceeded to added fresh O.J. to the bowls of sorbet and it was perfect. I think I might make it with orange juice instead of lemon/lime next time.