I am the first to admit I don’t always pick the best fruit. But not everything any farmer grows (or everything anyone makes) is 100% perfect. So I’m not complaining because I of all people understand the beauty of imperfections. It’s what you do with imperfect things that’s important.
The melons smell good, they look good, but when you open them up, they might be mediocre and not juicy or flavorful as you had hoped.
So when even our gourmand dogs, Nacho and Guero, turn their nose up at a not-so-good cantaloupe, what do you do with it?
Agua fresca, a drink commonly found throughout Mexico, is a great way to use fruit that’s about to turn or fruit that’s just so-so. Mexicans are incredibly resourceful, never wasting anything, which is one of the things I admire most.
Just cut up the fruit, place it in the blender with a little sugar (which it will need if it’s not good enough to eat by itself), add some water, puree and you’ve got a refreshing and delicious drink.
Not only is this a great way to use not-so-great fruit, it’s a sneaky way to get your family to drink something that’s good for them and tastes delicious! I bet the next time you buy a so-so melon, you and your family will be happy to enjoy another pitcher of agua de melon.
Buen provecho!
Agua de Melon
Ingredients
- 1 cantaloupe seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 2 lbs. of fruit)
- 1 1/2 cups water plus an additional 2 1/2 - 3 cups
- 1 tablespoon sugar of choice if needed
- 1 lime juiced
- Ice
- Lime slices for garnish optional
Instructions
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Place the cut fruit in the blender and add 1 1/2 cups water.
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Cover and puree. Add the sugar, if using, along with the lime juice and blend again.
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Pour into a pitcher and add the remaining 2 1/2 cups of water. Stir until well blended. Taste. If needed, add another 1/2 cup water and stir again. Fill your glasses with ice, pour agua de melon, garnish with a slice of lime and enjoy.
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Refrigerate any leftovers.
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