Paloodeh: A Persian Sweet Cantaloupe Smoothie

This is a refreshing and nutritious drink made with ripe and sweet cantaloupes and is a superb thirst quencher. Cantaloupes are great especially when served in the morning for breakfast. It is also wonderful to set up a beautiful tray of sliced cantaloupe and honeydew melon along with watermelon during scorching hot summer days or any other day of the year while they are in season. In our home, like the homes of most Iranians, having fresh vegetables and fruits daily is a must and cantaloupe is one of the fruits/vegetables that we buy in large quantities when available.

Paloodeh, not to be confused with faloodeh (Persian frozen dessert), is made with pureed cantaloupe, sugar, water, and optional rosewater and is served chilled.

Paloodeh

Ingredients:
Serves 2

1/2 cantaloupe
1 cup of ice cubes 
1 tablespoon sugar (depending on your taste, increase or reduce the amount of sugar), honey or any other sweetener may also be used instead of sugar
1 tablespoon rosewater 
1 tablespoon lime juice 

Method:

1. Wash the cantaloupe, cut in half, remove the seeds, peel the skin off and cut into small pieces. 
2. Place the pieces of cantaloupe into a blender, add sugar, ice, rosewater and lime juice. Blend until smooth. 
3. Pour into a pitcher and chill for an hour or two. 

Serve chilled or with crushed ice.

Enjoy!