Maria NasirWatermelon Punch, non-alcoholic :
“When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat”.
Mark Twain
Water Melon – one of Nature’s best gifts!
In summers my city, Lahore, abounds in two things – bougainvillea flowers and watermelons. One can see mounds of watermelons on the sidewalks, all over the city, where street vendors put up their temporary shops. Watermelon becomes a necessity in the scorching heat of Lahore to quench the unquenchable thirst. It’s a complete package in itself – food and drink. Loaded with infinite health benefits.
How to make use of the whole watermelon:
I started making this watermelon punch bowl when I was expecting my first baby and ever since I’ve been in love with this super refreshing drink . You can use the sweet and juicy red flesh in a number of ways, other than enjoying on its own. I make a lovely fruit salad with it. The white part right between the hard shell and sweet flesh can be cooked into a delicious curry as you would cook any pumkin curry with onions and tomatoes. You make frozen watermelon popsicles for kids. Even the shell has a use – serve your watermelon punch or any fruit cocktail in the watermelon shell to make it look very party chic and the bowl can be thrown away after use – one less dish to wash! And yes, if you are wondering, you can eat watermelon seeds
too.
Every season brings something special to life, cool fruit drinks are what I love about summer.
Ingredients :
6 cups watermelon flesh, diced and deseeded
1/2 litre plain soda water/sparkling water/any colourless soft drink or clean water
2 table spoons brown sugar or 1 teaspoon organic stevia (omit sugar if using sweet soft drink)
1 teaspoon black salt or any rock salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
24 ice cubes
This Is What You Do :
Add all the ingredients except soda to the blender.
Whiz till the ice gets crushed, add soda/water or a soft drink of your choice, again whiz for a few seconds.
You can serve it in a punch bowl OR even better empty half of the watermelon shell and serve in it with thin lemon slices and fresh mint leaves floating in it. Enjoy !
Makes 6 servings