My list of irresistible summer produce is so long, it may be getting out of control, but I’m all for this kind of unbridled passion. The only thing I need to watch out for is over-buying at the farmers market. One item high on the summer-love list is melon. Slurpy with juice, sweet, and fragrant, whether it is watermelon, honeydew, or cantaloupe, it is a must on my shopping list throughout the season. The recipes here—a drink, a dessert and a salad—highlight how you can bring melon to the table any time of day. Enjoy!
Watermelon Basil Flavored Water
Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post
This beautiful, blush watermelon basil beverage is ideal for summer weekend gatherings when you want a super-quenching drink that is both healthful and elevated.
Coconut Melon Soup
Photo: Goran Kosanovic for The Washington Post
Here, juicy melon is blended with honey, lime juice and coconut milk then chilled and served elegantly with a small scoop of coconut sorbet and a shower of fresh mint. This melon soup makes a refreshing dessert on a hot summer’s day.
Watermelon and Cucumber Salad With Ginger, Lime and Mint
Photo by Tom McCorkle and food styling by Gina Nistico for The Washington Post
This salad is a quadruple-threat of refreshment with each of its four main elements — watermelon, cucumber, ginger and mint — offering a burst of lively, quenching flavor. It pairs especially well with a grilled protein slathered in barbecue sauce, because its flavors echo the sauce’s sweet-fruity-savory elements while offering a welcomed, contrasting cool.
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