Cantaloupe and Citrus Pops

makes 8 - 10 pops

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cantaloupe, peeled and seeded
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups fresh orange or tangerine juice
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

In a food processor fitted with a knife blade, combine cantaloupe and sugar. Pulse until pureed and sugar is dissolved. Strain pulp through a medium-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl; discard solids. (Alternatively, run cantaloupe through a juicer; add sugar and stir until dissolved.)

Add orange juice to cantaloupe juice. Add cream and stir until combined. Pour into ice pop molds, freezer-safe cups, or paper cups. Freeze about 1 hour.

Remove from freezer and with a small spoon, stir each pop. Insert ice pop sticks about 3/4 of the way into each mold. Freeze at least 4 more hours, or overnight. Unmold and serve at once.

Vanilla-Melon Smoothies

Freeze the bananas for a colder, thicker smoothie.

serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cantaloupe or honeydew, peeled, seeded, cut into chunks and chilled
• 1 whole banana, peeled
• 1/2 cups vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

In a blender, combine melon, banana, yogurt and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth. (This may need to be done in batches.) Pour melon mixture into glasses. Serve immediately.