Watermelon Popsicles

I feel like a shmuck- I got such a late start on watermelon this year! With so many other summer fruits available, I neglected to buy a big watermelon and hack into it. Part of my problem is I feel the summer months are quickly slipping away. August you say!? Where have I been? In any case, last week I finally got my booty to the store and bought some melons. Watermelon is a juicy and refreshing snack on those unbearably hot summer days. I love eating it all on its own, but it ain't too shabby in popsicle form!

Last year I made a watermelon granita basically using the same ingredients as I did for my popsicles. Watermelon is naturally sweet and primarily made up of water, so you really don't need to add much to it when it comes to frozen desserts. Just a little lime juice and zest added to the base is all it needs. There is very little sugar, and feel free to decrease or increase the amount of sugar to taste. These popsicles are SO easy to make. A perfect light summertime dessert or refreshing mid-day treat.

WATERMELON POPSICLES

4 lb. cubed watermelon, seeds and rind removed (see notes below)
1 1/2 tbsp. lime juice
Zest of 1 lime
6 tbsp. sugar

Place all of the ingredients in a blender and puree until liquified (do in batches if all the watermelon doesn't fit). Pour the mixture through a sieve placed over a large (4 cup) measuring cup or medium sized bowl. You should end up with about about 4 cups watermelon puree. Pour the strained mixture into popsicle molds, insert sticks and freeze. 

Let the popsicles rest for a minute or two at room temperature before removing from molds. Transfer popsicles to a plastic zip-top bag and freeze for longer storage.

Yield: 10 to 12 popsicles, depending on size of mold

Notes:

• 1 baby watermelon equals about 4 lb.
• If you have any leftover puree, use it to make watermelon flavored cocktails, or for a delicious watermelon lemonade.