Cantaloupe Lassi

You ever get an idea in your head that just won’t go away, no matter how weird it is? Even though you wonder how it will ever possibly turn out and in fact it could end up to be something totally disgusting, yet it could on the other hand turn out to be something completely awesome?

That’s what happened here.

Allow me to explain. Last week in California, The Man got an absolutely beautiful cantaloupe. Like, perfect. It was deep orange, sweet and juicy…it practically melted in your mouth.

In a good kind of way. Not in a mushy, overripe melon kind of way. Did that make any sense?

Anyway. As I was eating this delectable melon, I got this craving to just…drink it. Again, weird? And then the idea of drinkable cantaloupe just sort of morphed into my version of lassi.

Invisible internet friends: meet cantaloupe lassi.

For those of you who don’t know what lassi is, it’s an Indian beverage traditionally made with yogurt and spices – usually savory, with ground cumin and almonds, but it can also be made sweet by adding fruit and/or sugar. And for the record, it’s 100% refreshing. A little too much for me to drink with a meal, but as a dessert it’s just about perfect.

In the spirit of paleo, I nixed the yogurt for this recipe and used coconut milk instead. Then I added some ice, honey, and cinnamon.

And then, with just a little trepidation, I took a sip.

*cue cheesy picture*

Yeah, it was that good. But so worth it. As in, I expected this to be a total waste of melon and coconut milk and instead I ended up drinking both glasses by myself. For lunch. True story.

I guess you kind of have to like cantaloupe for this to work for you, although I imagine substituting strawberries or mango would be almost as good. Although in that case, I guess this could also be called a smoothie. Oh well, whatever.

Lassi sounds much more exotic, don’t you think?

WHAT YOU’LL NEED (makes two small or one large beverage)

2 cups cantaloupe chunks

1/2 cup coconut milk, chilled

1/2 cup ice

tbsp honey

cinnamon for sprinkling

WHAT TO DO

In a blender, combine melon, ice, honey, and cococonut milk and puree. Pour into glasses and serve with cinnamon on top. Done!