Summer’s Coolest Soup: Spicy Watermelon Gazpacho

Watermelon in Gazpacho? Now, that's something different!!

It's been extremely hot and humid this week and I've made my simple but tasty gazpacho on a few of the nights. Nothing is easier than tossing a few juicy vegetables into the blender for a delicious cold soup. 

However, this time, I added some watermelon to my basic recipe for a little variation.  It's interesting how the flavors all mingle so nicely. 

In My Kitchen - July 2024

Welcome to the July edition of "In My Kitchen" hosted by Sherry at Sherry's Pickings. I'm happy to invite you into my kitchen once again to see some new additions that have found their way into my domain during the past month. 

In My Kitchen for June

I'm joining Sherry's IMK ( In My Kitchen) for the month of June to give my readers a peek into what's in my kitchen this month. 

We just returned from 6 months in Florida, so I'll be sharing from my Pennsylvania kitchen this month.

I bought a fun serving spinner at Homegoods for outdoor serving. It holds quite a bit of vegetables, fruit, and there is room for dips too. It spins making it easy for guests to reach everything. I'll be using it outside on our deck!

Green Retro Bowls Filled With Watermelon- 

This watermelon was perfect for hot humid weather. Yesterday was 90 degrees and this watermelon was cooling and refreshing. I love the green retro bowls. 

Watermelon, Cucumber, Tomato, and Mint salad

When temperatures start to rise to over 90 degrees, you will welcome this refreshing watermelon, cucumber, and tomato salad seasoned with chopped scallions and freshly chopped mint-  it is sweet, savory delicious and takes advantage of end of summer produce.

4 Hacks to Cool Off in Hot Weather

It's been over 95 everyday this week. Here are 4 hacks that help me get through the unbearable heat wave!!

Frozen Watermelon Smoothies

Looking for a refreshing icy cold fruit drink to serve at your next pot luck or bbq? This easy to make frozen watermelon smoothie will not disappoint and keep everyone cool as a cucumber in hot summer months!!

The key to the fabulous taste of this watermelon smoothie is that the watermelon is frozen before I make the smoothies!

How To Freeze Watermelon 

All I did is cut up some watermelon into cubes, popped them into baggies, then into the freezer overnight and in the morning the frozen watermelon was ready to be used to make these really cold refreshing smoothies.

Truthfully, it is refreshing just to eat some of the frozen watermelon cubes right from the freezer .
However, drinking frozen watermelon in a smoothie is truely amazing!

Let me tell you why I started making these smoothies!

It has been really hot and humid in Pennsylvania. Sometimes you just need something very cold and refreshing!

I was scrolling through Pinterest and saw lots of ideas for freezing watermelon and then using it for smoothies !

Do you know how good frozen watermelon smoothies  looked to me when I was dripping from the heat and humidity?  I wanted to make some right then and there, but I didn't have any frozen watermelon!  (who would?)

95 degree - hot and humid day ( I'm on the right of my cousin)

However, I did have a watermelon! 

Unfortunately , I had to wait until the next day when the cubes froze solid ( the next day).

Let's face it. Who would have ever thought to freeze watermelon? Not me! But I tried it!

I proceeded to cut up watermelon, placed the cubes in  baggies and froze them. Yes, it was that simple. (See freezing suggestions at the end of this post )

Today,  I am prepared for the heat.. It is still oppressively hot, but I have a few baggies of frozen watermelon in my freezer. 

Watermelon is Good For You. 

• Watermelon has virtually no fat. A cup has only 48 calories and it is a rich source of valuable antioxidants and vitamins.

• In addition, watermelon contains lycopene, an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals in the body that may lead to disease.

• Watermelon contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable including tomatoes.

**This rich source of lycopene may be especially good for those with prostate problems (ask your doctor first)

I usually buy a whole watermelon when they are on sale, and end up with more than we can eat in 2 days. There is no waste when you are able to freeze some for smoothies!

3 Ways to Use Frozen Watermelon Cubes :

• Eat them plain right from the freezer - yum! It's like frozen ices
• Use them as ice cubes in a pitcher of water to flavor the water and keep water cold
• Mix the cubes into any type of smoothie

Watermelon Smoothie Recipe

Author of the blog: Judee Algazi
Prep Time: 5 minutes

Blender Time: 1 minute

Serves: 2-3 servings

Ingredients:

3 cups of frozen watermelon cubes
1 cup cold watermelon juice ( I save the watermelon juice when I scoop the watermelon)
Juice of 1/2 large lime
1 large ripe banana
Optional: sweetener of choice only if needed ( It should not be needed)

Blend all ingredients in Vitamix, Nutribullet, or in a strong blender.
Serve immediately with a wedge of lime.

My Notes: 

Suggestions:

1. Cut the watermelon in small chunks and freeze on a cookie sheet so it doesn't all stick together. Then throw it into baggies when frozen. ( about 8 hours) . Otherwise it may freeze in one large clump and that could be very hard on your blender. Melon balls are cute too.

2. When cutting the watermelon, reserve the watermelon juice in a jar and keep it in the refrigerator overnight. ( you can also just use water)

3. Don't skip the banana. The first time I made the smoothie, I skipped the banana and it just wasn't as good as with a banana. The banana really adds something to the drink.

4. This recipe is raw, vegan, dairy free, and gluten free.

Follow me on Twitter, Pinterest and G+ or even follow my blog. I post many more recipes  Gluten Free A-Z  and Twitter .

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My blog carnival list and Gluten Free Fix - 4th of July

and Beth Fish Reads Weekend cooking

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