Watermelon Soup

This was a HUGE hit at my own engagement party this summer. This chilled soup can be made with any kind of melon. A really good honeydew would taste great with the jalapeño and green onion.

Watermelons haven’t always maintained a good reputation in the “paleo” movement because of their high fructose content in relation to their glucose content. Many proponents of Paleo suggest avoiding watermelon, especially if you have diabetes, or are trying to reverse a metabolic condition.

Aside from these issues, watermelon does have some great nutrients, but it’s important to remember that no single fruit is necessary for humans to thrive.

I personally would suggest eating only moderate amounts of watermelon while it is in season. No reason to go searching for a watermelon fix in the middle of February. Enjoy fruits while they are at their best and then wait until they come back around next year. I like the anticipation of foods  in their season. Butternut squash in May? um, No. Figs in December?… impossible. Persimmons in July? unlikely. But I love those foods when the time is right. It almost feels like my body is expecting them as their season approaches.

Watermelon :

High in Vitamins A and C.

The presence of Lycopene obvious in the red/pink varieties

Has been shown to support prostate health

Chilled Watermelon Soup with Mint Lemonade

Watermelon Soup

6 cups cubed ripe melon
1/2 cup diced seedless cucumber
6 tablespoons lime juice, divided, plus more to taste
1 tablespoon thinly sliced scallion green, plus 1 whole scallion, divided
1 jalapeño pepper, plus more to taste
1 cup cold water
1 2-by-1/2-inch strip orange zest
1/2 cup orange juice, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro, or mint for garnish (I used mint)

1. Dice enough melon to measure 1 cup and combine in a small bowl with cucumber, 2 tablespoons lime juice and scallion green. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve the soup.
2. Place the remaining melon and 4 tablespoons lime juice in a blender. Chop the whole scallion and seed and chop jalapeño; add to the blender along with water, orange zest, orange juice, ginger and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add more lime juice, jalapeño and/or orange juice, if desired.
3. Refrigerate the soup until chilled, 2 hours.
4. Stir the reserved diced melon mixture and divide among 4 soup bowls. Pour the soup into the bowls. Garnish each serving with mint (or cilantro), if using.recipe from Eatingwell.com