I have not known watermelon until this moment. I obsessed over the watermelons in my garden at Tulipwood this summer. “How do I know if they’re really, truly ready?” I proclaimed across the woods, and then on twitter, and facebook, and to random family members who gave me funny looks. Twitter produced the most answers, as it often does.
“The stem will be dry and brown,” one person said.
“It will be heavy and smell like watermelon,” another said.
“The underside of it will be yellow but the rest green,” someone else said.
My watermelon was none of these things. But it had been sitting there in the garden all summer, bigger than the rest of the watermelons, and it was perfectly green and round.
It looked like a plump pea, shelled right from the pod.
And so, because I knew I was going to write this post in honor of Maria from “Two Peas and Their Pod,” I decided it was time to snip it and turn it into something festive…
This beverage is for you Maria, and the new pea you are about to introduce into the family…
I gathered a little mint as well… mint is so prolific around these parts.
And because I couldn’t help it, I filled the basket with some other things and skipped over the hill like Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prarie.
Not.
But that’s a nice image isn’t it?
I decided to try out watermelon agua fresca, which is Spanish for “fresh water.” It isn’t a smoothie and it isn’t flavored water.
Instead it is the perfect middle ground between water and fruit, thin and clean tasting, but decidedly filled with the fruit flavor.
And guess what else…
The watermelon was ripe!
It was beyond ripe. It was ruby and as sweet as watermelon has ever tasted. Like I said, I have not had watermelon until this moment.
To make an agua fresca with watermelon, you carve it out of its rind…
Slice it vertically…
Then horizontally…
Until you have a bowl of sweet pieces ready for the blender.
Pour in water now…
And blend until smooth and frothy.
I love froth.
Then you strain it. That’s what gives it that smooth clean feeling in your mouth.
With a spatula, press it through the strainer to get around the seeds and pulp.
Then you can add your own personal flair. Normally I would use fresh limes. But I didn’t have any handy so this fun lime juice was a good substitute.
Pour in the lime juice along with any sweetener that you’re in the mood for. This lime juice already had some so I didn’t add any extra. But this would be a good place for some agave sweetener or honey. Or as my grandmother would prefer, fresh stevia leaves.
Or nothing at all! This watermelon was already so sweet.
Before serving, muddle some mint in a glass.
Then pour ‘er in.
You can even add the mint flowers for good measure.
And of course you could use so many other kinds of fruits here too. Honeydew perhaps? Juicy peaches?
Cheers to you Maria and the new addition to your family!
Ingredients Instructions
Here are all of the other fun recipes from my friends who are participating in this Virtual Baby Shower for Two Peas & Their Pod
Drinks
Simple Bites – Lemon Balm infused Lemonade
Ingredients, Inc. – Healthy Fruit Punch
Food for My Family – Lemongrass Soda
Heather’s Dish – Mixed Fruit Punch
She Wears Many Hats – Mini Pistachio Smoothies
Georgia Pellegrini – Watermelon Agua Fresca & a New Pea
Appetizers/Savory Bites
With Style and Grace – Truffle Popcorn
Family Fresh Cooking – Baby Peas & Cheese Frittata
Barbara Bakes – Creamy Orange Fruit Dip and Fruit
Aggie’s Kitchen – Pasta Salad with Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette
Reluctant Entertainer – Nutella Berry Bruschetta
Dessert
Dorie Greenspan – French Lemon Cream Tart
TidyMom – Blue and Chocolate Cake Balls
i am baker – Baby Pea Baby Shower Cake
Brown Eyed Baker – Pavlova
Picky Palate – Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich
What’s Gaby Cooking – Coconut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing
Cookin’ Canuck – Nutella & Cream Cheese Swirled Blondies
Kevin and Amanda – Baby Blue Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Cups
Sweetopia – Decorated Sugar Cookies
Mountain Mama Cooks – Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Sweetapolita – Little Pea Sugar Cookie Pops
Bake at 350 – Petit Fours with fondant pea pods
RecipeGirl – Baby Button Cookies
RecipeBoy – Mud Cups with Gummy Worms
Add a Pinch – Blackberry Tartlets
Dine and Dish – Oven Baked Cinnamon Apples
Crafts
Wenderly – Handmade Sweet Pea Cards
Our Best Bites – How To: Make a Diaper Cake Centerpiece
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Ah, love this Georgia!
Winnie recently posted..Mango Lassi
Wow does that look good!!!! Love the “pea” in your garden… great shot!
This looks delicious Georgia! I’ve never had a watermelon drink…..I MUST try this!!
TidyMom recently posted..Baby Blue Velvet Cake Truffles {Virtual Baby Shower}
So refreshing! And perfect for a shower or ladies party.
Amy | She Wears Many Hats recently posted..Pistachio Smoothie
I agree with Amy, so refreshing & perfect for a shower! Beautiful Georgia!
Wenderly recently posted..Prince Sweet Pea
This looks so refreshing. I like that it uses an unrefined sweetener! A great drink to celebrate a lovely lady and her new “pea”.
Deliciously Organic recently posted..Back to School Lunch Ideas and No Bake Cookies
I actually don’t even like watermelon and I want a big glass of that! The color is stunning and it looks so perfect for summer- beautiful!
Sara @ Our Best Bites recently posted..How To: Make a Diaper Cake Centerpiece
Makes me want to grow watermelon next year. What a great refreshing drink!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes recently posted..Creamy Orange Fruit Dip and a Virtual Baby Shower
Love agua frescas especially with all the great watermelons and cantaloupes right now.
Esi recently posted..Daily Grill
Love your giant “pea!”
And these drinks look so refreshing!
bridget {bake at 350} recently posted..Pea Pod Petits Fours
This looks fabulous Georgia, so refreshing!
Amanda recently posted..Baby Blue Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Cups
What a beautiful watermelon! You must be so proud!
Kristen recently posted..Baby Boy Joy {Recipe: Oven Baked Cinnamon Apples}
That juicy watermelon is making me salivate! This would be the perfect drink for a hot day.
Cookin’ Canuck recently posted..Nutella & Cream Cheese Swirled Blondie Recipe For A Surprise Baby Shower
This beverage is perfect for me! Thank you! The one food I crave every single day is watermelon:) Thanks so much Georgia! xoxo
I remember our neighbor when I was a kid was obsessed with his homegrown watermelons. It’s too bad I don’t remember any of his sage advice on how to grow them. But then again, you look like you’re doing a fine job with it! I’m inspired – may have to add watermelon to my little garden next year. In the meantime, I think the agua fresca looks like a great drink for our weekend BBQ with family. Happiness!
Sounds yummy! I will definitely give it a try this weekend! By the way, welcome to TEXAS…God’s country! If you want to eat some of the best watermelons grown in Texas you should head on over to Plains this weekend and hang out at the Watermelon Round-Up….loads of fun!
There’s a watermelon round-up? Really? I knew I belonged here.
Sounds like a real treat to eat watermelon fresh as from your backyard. It must have been a long wait to break into it and taste it for the first time.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..the language of food photography part 6 | finding your style with Meeta K. Wolff
Great drink you came up with girl. LOVE that pea shaped pumpkin. So happy you could join along in the fun
xxoo
This looks fabulous! I love your shots! This was so fun, and I’m honored to be included!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. recently posted..Healthy Fruit Punch Recipe for Surprise Baby Shower
Georgia, this is so gorgeous, and definitely refreshing! I am so addicted to watermelon, but growing them and enjoying them that way would take it to an entirely new level. I love this recipe!
Rosie @ Sweetapolita recently posted..Little Pea Sugar Cookie Pops and a Virtual Baby Shower
Oh Georgia! That watermelon looks heavenly. I dream of being able to grow things like that (I don’t think they would ever ripen in Seattle!) Beautiful drink
The mint thing you have placed on it is called, “sangig (sah-ngeeg) or bawing (bah-weeng), here in the Philippines. I haven’t got any idea it could as well add up some unique flavor on the blended watermelon. I might as well try this one out.
Ginger recently posted..Medical Assistant Certification
I love “aguas frescas” in all their forms! You’re making me contemplate a trip to the market just to be able to make it this evening…
aida mollenkamp recently posted..Summer, From Concentrate
wow – Georgia! What a great contribution to the party!
susan recently posted..Plum Jam + A Day with Friends
This looks so refreshing!! Love it! (and I know Maria did with her pregnancy obsession for watermelon
)
Great photos!
Mmm, mmm mmm. Georgia, I would like to taste *that* watermelon now. Lol. Thanks for the yummylicious inspiration. Now that I’ve read this, if I ever grow a garden, watermelon will be on the to-grow list.
Marian (Sweetopia) recently posted..Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcake Recipe and Hedgehog Toppers
What a great looking watermelon! I’ve never grown one successfully myself. I have however grown cantaloupe that was delicious. Your drink looks and sounds really refreshing. Congrats to Maria & Josh on their new little pea coming to their pod.
Not crazy about watermelon but I love this drink. So refreshing and perfect for a shower. I just wish we could have all been together in real life to help celebrate with Maria!
Thanks for sharing, G!
Sandy @ RE recently posted..Memory Binders and Clutter Rehab GIVEAWAY
This sounds like the most fabulous drink in all the land
.
Also, what a pretty watermelon!! GO YOU!!
Cookbook Queen recently posted..Back to School Pencil Cupcakes
Oooo, I love how frothy and refreshing it looks!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective recently posted..Grilled Corn Salad with Smokey Vinaigrette
Gorgeous photos and that looks like a totally refreshing drink.
Miss recently posted..Vanilla Cupcakes with Browned Butter-Coconut Icing
Absolutely going to have to make this! It looks so refreshing and delicious. Love it.
Robyn | Add a Pinch recently posted..BBQ Ribs Recipe and Southern Football
It’s so funny, I’ve had “Watermelon Agua Fresca” on my list of things to make all summer long and haven’t gotten to it. I guess there is still time. Looks absolutely delicious!
Lori @ RecipeGirl recently posted..Labor Day Barbecue Recipes
Yummy and refreshing to eat watermelon, best for sunny days. I never thought that you can do lot o things on watermelon. You give me an idea on what to prepare tonight for our beverage. Thanks a lot for posting such terrific watermelon presentation.
Lovely recently posted..warts on hands
Great recipe, very fresh!..so nice of you all to do this for a fellow blogger
Sandi recently posted..March of the Penzeys
I’m skipping myself over to the market in hopes of hunting down a melon as pretty as yours; I need this drink in my life… like now.
Ashley@BakerbyNature recently posted..Grilled Cheese and Fried Egg Sandwiches
How beautiful. I can only imagine how refreshing this is on a hot summer day. And I’m envious of your melon – I just can’t seem to grow them!
Brenda @ a farmgirl’s dabbles recently posted..Chocolate Dipped Salted Nut Roll Bars
I have however grown cantaloupe that was delicious. What a great refreshing drink!
Tricia Gates recently posted..Many Cures
What a great refreshing drink! I have however grown cantaloupe that was delicious.
Greta Rosales recently posted..Arthritis Tips
I’m inspired – may have to add watermelon to my little garden next year. This looks fabulous Georgia, so refreshing! Makes me want to grow watermelon next year.