Cantaloupe Drink (Persian Paloodeh Talebi)

It's amazing how Nature takes care of us in all seasons. The high water content in many Spring/summer fruits, like strawberries, cantaloupe, melon and water melon, is a natural solution for dehydration. Wonderfully sweet and delicious cantaloupe has almost 90 percent water in it's composition. Reaching for a fruit or vegetable high in water content after finishing an intense workout can hydrate your body twice as effectively as a glass of water because these water-rich foods also provide the body with natural sugars, amino acids, mineral salts and vitamins that are lost in exercise. They can replenish your body without all the artificial colours and flavours commonly found in sports drinks. The biggest advantage of consuming high water content foods is that they contain minimal calories and provide a feeling of fullness. Paloodeh Talebi is a simple but very refreshing summer drink which is amazingly wholesome and super easy to make. The natural deliciousness of cantaloupe or melon is enhanced with a hint of rosewater and jazzed up with a little salt and lemon juice. Honey goes in to sweeten the whole thing a tad more. But I would recommend to keep the quantity of flavour enhancers to the minimum so the real taste of the fruit can shine more.

½ cantaloupe
1 cup ice cubes
1 Tbsp. pure honey
1 Tbsp. rosewater
1 Tbsp. lime or lemon juice (optional)

Garnish:
fresh mint

Wash the cantaloupe, cut in half, remove the seeds, peel the skin off and shred or cut into small pieces.

Place the pieces of cantaloupe into a blender, add honey, ice, rosewater and lime juice, if using. Blend until smooth.

Pour into a pitcher and chill for an hour or two.

Serve chilled or with crushed ice.

Makes 2 servings.