People forget that summer doesn’t actually end until September 21st. This gives us a little more time to savor the last bits of the warm weather and all the wonderful bounties of the farm markets. We still have over a week left, even though many think Labor Day is the official close to summer.
I decided to take a ride over to Springdale Farms in Cherry Hill, NJ. This a family owned market equipped with a bakery and plenty of farm activities. They have “pick your own” seasonal produce as well as hayrides, fall corn mazes and local wine tasting events.
In my opinion, one of the best fruits of the summer is watermelon. Nothing shouts summer more than a big juicy watermelon. You have to have a watermelon at every barbecue and picnic. I was fortunate enough to get one on my trip to the market. However, let me tell you the problem with watermelon in my house.
Do you remember the story of The Little Red Hen? She needed help planting and picking the wheat as well as baking the bread. But no one wanted to help until they saw the beautiful baked bread. Then, the duck, pig and cat all wanted to eat
some. In our house, this happens with watermelon. Here is a typical scenario:
Jersey girl (me): “I’m cutting watermelon. Would anyone like some? Or would anyone like to help?”
Jersey husband: “Don’t think I want any watermelon.”( He says this in between pitches while watching the Phillies game.)
Jersey kids: “No watermelon for us. Can we have an ice pop?”
Jersey girl: “Okay. If no one would like some, I will cut it all and put it in a Tupperware container.”
So I proceed to cut the watermelon and pack it in containers for future use, keeping a plate for myself. The rest of the family sees me eating these juicy bites and decides they would like some. Before you know it, half the watermelon is gone and “jersey girl” did all the work. Now why doesn’t anyone decide they want watermelon before it is cut? It seems to me that they are acting like the duck, pig and cat in the story. But the late breaking news is that hubby (Jersey Boy) cut the watermelon after he read my story.
To celebrate this feat, I made an end of summer sorbet. I had some strawberries in the refrigerator and thought they would be a perfect match. It was a delightful way to end a meal.
Everyone had some sorbet, of course!
Strawberry Watermelon Sorbet
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries, cored and sliced
- 3 cups cut watermelon
- ½ cup sugar
- the juice from half a lemon
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, process the strawberries until smooth. Add the watermelon, sugar and lemon juice and blend well. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and follow manufacturers directions.
- If you do not have an ice cream maker, the freezer method can be used. Pour sorbet into container, cover and place mixture in the freezer. When it is semi-solid, mash it up with a fork and refreeze again. When frozen, place in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Cover and refreeze until serving time.
- Makes about 4 servings.
By Lisa Grant. Jersey Girl Cooks
Love to cook, love to eat and love to run (thank God)! I am also the CEO of a household of four. My handsome hubby and beautiful two children keep me busy. If there is time to spare, I enter recipe contests and work on my blog to feed my obsession with food.
