Watermelon Gazpacho

June 26, 2014

watermelo gazpacho tall

The Fourth is right around the corner and while you’re planning your cookouts and getting your watermelons iced down for the big day…I thought I’d share a way to add an amazing little twist on your celebrating with Watermelon Gazpacho. It’s perfect for hot weather…especially when you crank up the grill or head to the beach.

Icy cold Watermelon Gazpacho is perfect for any Summer day.  So if you want to kick it up a notch at your next gathering….Watermelon Gazpacho is the perfect way to do it! And  your family and guests will love you for it.

watermelon gazpacho bowl

I first had a fruit based gazpacho in the mountains of NC many years ago. Now, let me say, I’m not a big fan of tomato juice, per se, so when I saw Gazpacho on the menu I don’t know why but something said to try it.  Oh, am I ever glad I did!  It was cold and fruity and perfection in a bowl.

Watermelon Gazpacho1

The restaurant didn’t have a recipe to share because they explained the ingredients change from day to day, based on what fruit or vegetable was available that particular day.  I guess I was just lucky, because it was mango-ey and watermelon-ey and spicy just the right temp for my tongue….so, I came straight home and recreated that wonderful  experience.

I use watermelon as my base, just because it’s summer and hot as the dickens and plentiful in Georgia. But the great thing about it is that you can use whatever fruit you prefer or whatever is available any given day.

Begin with ONE Habernero pepper! My first making I used 4. I have no idea what I was thinking….by the time I figured out how fiery hot it was and began adding more and more fruit and juice, I had enough to make all my whole extended family happy for the whole week.

watermelon gapacho ingreds

Begin with One pepper, seeded and membrane removed (use gloves!!!)… plus one small seedless watermelon, 1/2 yellow bell pepper chopped, 1/2 cup red onion chopped, 1 large cucumber peeled, seeded and chopped. 4-5 tomatoes, chopped. 1 stalk celery, chopped. 4-5 cloves garlic chopped. 2 mangos, peeled and chopped, 1/2 honeydew melon peeled and chopped. 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup red wine vinegar, salt, pepper to taste.

watermelon gazpacho fruit puree

Pulse the tomatoes, celery, onion, bell pepper, 1/2 the watermelon until finely chopped. Add the remainder of the ingredients and pulse very gently…you don’t want everything puréed.

watermellon Gazpacho chopped

It needs a little bit O chunk, IMO. So. I save out the cucumber and part of the watermelon and mango to cut into tiny pieces, about 1/4 inch and add them last. I also squeezed some lime, orange juice.  Next,  add 1/2 of a 64oz  bottle of tomato juice. I add the tomato juice until it is tame enough for my taste.  Begin with half of the bottle. Then add more, a little at a time, if you feel you need to.

This last batch (pictured) I made I used the whole 64 oz bottle. (I used 1 1/2  peppers and eft some of the membrane and seed in..don’t do that.)  I had to add more juice to tame it.  If you get into a situation where it is too hot for your taste..simply add more juice and/or fruit. You can’t mess it up. But remember when you do to add more S&P and Olive Oil and vinegar to taste.

watermelon gazpacho mixed

This is best the next day and it will keep several days. Served with feta cheese and garnish with mint leaves.

watermelon gazpacho2

And yes, It makes over a gallon, plenty for a party or to share with your family….you’ll be thankful and so will they!

watermelon gazpacho gallon

And it’s great to have on hand All. Summer. Long. Enjoy!

Watermelon Gazpacho

Ingredients

  • One Habanero pepper, seeded and membrane removed (use gloves!!!)
  • one small seedless watermelon
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper chopped,
  • 1/2 cup red onion chopped,
  • 1 large cucumber peeled, seeded and chopped.
  • 1/2 honeydew melon, chopped
  • 4-5 tomatoes, chopped.
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped.
  • 4-5 cloves garlic chopped.
  • 2 mangos, peeled and chopped,
  • 1/2 honeydew melon peeled and chopped.
  • 1/2 cup olive oil,
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar,
  • salt, pepper to taste.
  • 1 64oz bottle Tomato Juice
  • Other options for fruit would include peaches, cantelope. You may even toss in a few berries before serving.

Instructions

  1. Finely chop in processor celery, bell pepper, Hot pepper, garlic, and onion. Add half of the watermelon to this mixture and puree. Add one mango, honeydew melon, the tomatoes and half of remaining watermelon and coarsely chop.
  2. Pour into large bowl.
  3. By hand, coarsely chop/slice into about 1/4 inch pieces, the mango, remaining watermelon, and cucumber. Add to bowl.
  4. Add olive oil, Red Wine Vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Add enough Tomato juice until it is to your personal liking. I normally add half of the bottle and then begin my taste test, until it's just right…kinda like Goldilocks.
  5. The more juice you add the less spicy hot it will be. Add more fruit as needed to your liking, too. Be sure to adjust the olive oil and vinegar and salt and pepper as you adjust juice. To taste. Refrigerate over night. Serve ice cold. Garnish with feta cheese and mint leaves.
https://joytomyheart.com/watermelon-gazpacho/

Share:
Previous Post Next Post

You may also like

6 Comments

  • BJ Funk

    Renee, you are amazing. You make everything look delicious. I think if you had a recipe for dirt sandwiches, it would look inviting and delicious. Thanks for these wonderful pictures and recipes.

    June 27, 2014 at 10:56 am Reply
    • admin

      Omg, Bj, I’m laughing out loud….dirt sandwiches …ummm let me think about that…I do love how these watermelon pictures turned out….it taste just as good as it is pretty….

      June 27, 2014 at 11:18 am Reply
  • Jen

    This looks like possibly the best recipe I’ve ever seen! Pinning and making ASAP!

    June 28, 2014 at 8:39 am Reply
    • admin

      Oh, wow, Thank you Jen….That’s a huge compliment! Let me know how you like it!

      June 28, 2014 at 12:08 pm Reply
  • Baked Yellow Squash Rounds | Best Of The Weekend Party - A Little Claireification

    […] Sunrise Smoothie by Some Of This & That Blueberry Breakfast Parfait Pops by Mom On Timeout Watermelon Gazpacho by Joy To My Heart Orange Freeze by Your Home Based Mom Watermelon Lemonade by Belle Of The Kitchen Mango Vanilla […]

    July 4, 2014 at 8:00 pm Reply
    • admin

      Thank you! How sweet…and wonderful!!!!

      July 4, 2014 at 10:49 pm Reply

    Leave a Reply