July 7, 2011
Watermelons are piled high wherever you look. These heavy-as-boulder ones come from nearby Pachino, a town famous for its ruby-red tomatoes.
Watermelon used to bore me, conjuring up corporate picnics, American flags, and pig-out contests.
But I like it the Sicilian way–as gelo. It’s simple and fast.
DIRECTIONS
1. Roughly cut up a 3-pound watermelon (seedless, unless you want to pick out seeds one by one as I did) and discard the rind. Puree the chunks until liquified. (I have no blender–I’m trying to live a minimalist life–so I smooshed the chunks with my fists.)
2. Whisk 2/3 cups sugar and 1/2 cup cornstarch in a non-reactive pan. Whisk in the pureed watermelon. (OPTIONAL: Add jasmine flowers.) Bring the mix to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. It will take only a few minutes to thicken and bubble.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in a teaspoon of vanilla. With a rubber spatula, scrape the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. You can leave it in the big bowl, or spoon it out into individual serving bowls, as I did. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours.
4. To serve, garnish with some or all of the following: grated dark chocolate, ground cinnamon, chopped pistachios, jasmine flowers. Serve with whipped cream if you like the calories.
This recipe was adapted from Saveur. Hope you enjoy it!
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mmmm, definitely trying this one! What do you do for vanilla? I’ve never found decent vanilla extract here…
Haley, I bring my own from the US–yes, they have only those odd little packets of powdered vanilla here-ugh! odd for a country so obsessed with good ingredients.
Yum!! I get you could do the same thing with the wonderful variety of melons that I am enjoying in Spain right now? I love the photos; they are lickable.
Tee hee, Margo: “lickable photos!” That’s a great phrase. Glad you’re enjoying Spain and its melons and all the rest.
Not being a fan of watermelon, this is the first time I’ve seen/read something that actually looks/sounds good to me. Great pics (as usual) and easy-to-follow- instructions. Thanks for sharing, as always!
Hi Aysha! The hardest part is lugging home the watermelon.
And visually, they look irresistible! If these were displayed in a restaurant, they would sell out in no time.
Oh, then I must open a restaurant! Do you think I could make more money selling watermelon pudding that I do writing?
Jann, having been a fan of watermelon for as long as I can remember, I was quite impressed with this beautiful watermelon pudding. I had no idea watermelon could even be made into a pudding! If it’s as delicious as it looks, I would love to try it! Wonderful shots as always, friend!
Gracias, Bella.
I’ll trade you a slice of chocolate pear torte for a cup of watermelon gelo.
A fair trade, indeed, Rosann. I’d love to eat a virtual slice of your cake.
Sounds good, I will have to give it a try! Very similar to the Gelo di Limone recipe you posted another time – haven’t tried it yet either but plan to! Actually I think I will try it tonight since I have a lemon sitting here with nothing to do and is beginning to look wilted in the heat…
Yes, Cathy–very similar. Now don’t use too wilted a lemon for the Gelo di Limone or it might taste sad.
Gorgeous!
Grazie, Michelle.
Oh, I can taste it from here! Beautiful post, as usual.
Thanks for commenting, Susan.
This definitely sounds worth trying! Though I have nothing against good old watermelon as is. My daughter also has an interesting watermelon recipe which involves mashing up the pulp and adding gin. An adult slushie!
Louciao, I believe you are also in Atlantic Canada, from reading your other posts on here? I have heard of the watermelon ‘slushies’ too 🙂 I’m a beer & wine kind of gal so have never tried it… (I’m in NB)
Cheers! 🙂
Cathy, if louciao doesn’t see your question, I’ll butt in and answer for her. Take a look at her lovely blog and you’ll see she has “moved to a rural village, Atlantic coast, Canada”
OMG–that sounds like serious summertime fun.
Thanks Jann! I will check it out..
PS — no worries, I didn’t even get around to using up my somewhat withered lemon and it is heading to the compost heap.. Good news is I bought a few more!! Now to use them before they come to the same fate. I’m thinking since the lemons are a reasonable price right about now that its time to get some limoncello on the go… 🙂
Mmmmm! Have you made limoncello before, Cathy??? I’d love to try it someday.