Magellan's Melons

Watermelon Gazpacho

It's the last week of August, which means there are way too many melons rolling around. With dozens of varieties at this week's Little Italy Mercato, It's time to try on watermelon gazpacho this week and dazzle your friends at your next dinner gathering. You could make a watermelon salad, serve it up in standard, succulent slices, or use the whole fruit as a canteen for your favorite mixed beverage! (Even early world explorers like Magellan were smart on this trick, come on!)

Kawano Farms offers perfect, round red tomatoes to mix in to gazpacho and there are peppers and onions and basil galore at Sage Mountain Farms.Grab one or two sweet yellow watermelons from JR Organics or Tom King Farms to start. Dice the melon (sans rind) and add one medium sized Armenian cucumber from Suzie's Farm. Add freshly chopped red bell peppers, mint, and parsley from Vang Farms, a dash of aged balsamic vinegar from Gianni's Fine Foods and one minced shallot from Schaner's. Drizzle with olive oil from Marion's Olive Oil, and a hint of Salt Farms blended Tomato Spice Salt.

PS: Go ahead and make yourself a double batch- seems to run out quickly on these hot days!!