An Element of Surprise with Maria’s Watermelon Gazpacho

Today Maria’s Watermelon Gazpacho, a cold soup recipe, is packed with not only fresh vegetables, but fresh fruit and watermelon, and perfect for summer entertaining!

I’m happy to share a delicous summertime treat that makes entertaining so easy, especially if you want a quick, healthy appetizer, or you have been delegated the “soup” portion of a dinner party.

Welcome Maria!

Let me introduce to you my friend, Maria, who moved here to the Rogue Valley last year, because they were looking for somewhere a little cooler and greener than Mesa, AZ! My hometown, Medford, was where they landed!

I love Maria’s story, how after she got married, and moved to Argentina in 1977, she found herself entertaining quite a bit, primarily larger groups such as ex-pats and diplomats.

Start with a color.

Maria says to make it beautiful you need to create a theme, something as simple as a color. She also relishes having an element of surprise that can change up a dish in a slightly different way. And she’s a party favor girl. For seasonal and special occasions, she likes to present her guests with something from the party to take home with them.

For a recent party, she made her Watermelon Gazpacho recipe ahead of time, arranging martini glasses on a tray as a centerpiece, and when the guests arrived, they all thought they were having martinis.

Element of surprise.

What a beautiful tray! Are we having martinis? This was her element of surprise.

Maria was always a foodie, with an Italian mother who was an excellent cook and an inspiration to her, as well as her daughter, Tricia, who at an early age exhibited a special talent and passion for cooking.

Her own daughter gave Maria a run for her money!

I feel the same way about my daughter, Abby. Watch out … she’s a talented girl in the kitchen. :)

I’m happy Maria could be here on RE today to share this summer delight!

What’s your fresh spin on gazpacho that makes it different than a traditional recipe?

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Get the Recipe:

Maria’s Watermelon Gazpacho

Prep Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Yield: 8

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Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 4 ½ cups seedless watermelon
• 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• 1 teaspoon salt, or more, to taste
• 1 to 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 cup ripe tomato, cubed into ½ inch pieces
• 1 cup peeled or unpeeled seedless cucumber, cut into ½ inch pieces
• ½ cup total sweet yellow, red and orange pepper, cubed into ½ inch pieces (makes great color)
• 3 tablespoons minced red onion
• 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons minced cilantro or parsley
• Pinch sugar
• Mint leaves
• ½ cup watermelon ½ inch cubed
• ½ cup pineapple ½ inch cubed
• ½ cup raspberries
• Set aside cubed watermelon
• Set aside cubed pineapple

Instructions

 

• Purée 3 cups watermelon and transfer to a large, nonmetallic bowl. Add lime zest, lime juice, salt, garlic, tomato, cucumber, green pepper, red onion, vinegar, oil, and fresh herbs of choice. Add sugar and mix well by hand.
• Chill before serving (at least 1 hour).
• For a festive arrangement, fill martini glasses with the gazpacho, then add cubed watermelon, pineapple and raspberries. Garnish with mint leaves.

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

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