curried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops

curried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops recipe (via thepigandquill.com) #spicy #vegan #dairyfree #sweets

curried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops recipe (via thepigandquill.com) #spicy #vegan #dairyfree #sweets
Oh haaaaaay there. Did you miss me? I took last week off to try my hand at being a Professional Boob Sweat Wiper Offer. And guess what? I nailed it. I’d go into detail, but I have a feeling you’ve already got a pretty rockin’ image going on. Plus, my fellow California gals Lily and Gina waxed far more poetic about the recent heat wave than I could ever hope, so I’ll encourage you to head in their direction(s) if you’ve not already. Bottom line: shit’s been hot.

This week, however, we’ve seen a slight respite. As in, Lana even wore pants on Tuesday. And on Wednesday, we took a little jaunt to the city and it was brisk enough that I busted out the baby knitwear. The baby head knitwear, to be exact.

A baby hat, you guys. I busted out a baby hat.
Did you click that link? Did you die? I’m sure I’m Like Totally The Most Biased, but dat gurl straight melts my heart.

curried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops recipe (via thepigandquill.com) #spicy #vegan #dairyfree #sweets
Speaking of melting, I suppose I should address these ice pops already.

This is what happens when you’re attempting to ride out the last days of summer while secretly jonesing for the cozy flavors of fall. You know the flaves to which I am referring. All things pumpkin spice, to be sure (there’s no denying we’re all at least a little Basic), but in this case: the enchanting perfume of complex curry — floral, hot and subtly sweet — complemented by the warm nuttiness of oven-toasted coconut. A drizzle of honey brings forth the syrupy sweetness of late-summer melon. And sea salt.

Always sea salt — in part because of the fond childhood memories I have of scooping liberally salted spoonfuls of cantaloupe straight from the rind (a frothy, melting orb of rainbow sherbet optional) — and in part because everything sweet is made better with salt. Simple as that.

curried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops recipe (via thepigandquill.com) #spicy #vegan #dairyfree #sweets
If you’re the chilled soup type, the blended fruit mixture (unfrozen, of course) would be an elegant and memorable first course for a late-summer luncheon. I’d probably add the tiniest sprig of mint and a drizzle of olive oil, with perhaps a topping of larger toasted coconut flakes for added texture and crunch. But in the pop iteration, the contrast of smooth, lingering heat delivered in each icy-cold bite is kind of unbeatable.

Especially since, if the weather dude is to be believed, another wave of pit-stained sunshine is headed our way.
(Hear that, tatas? Ready the wet naps.)

Wishing you all a happy Friday — and a *fingers crossed* temperate weekend — friends!
(Oh, and to my baby daddy’s lovely Momma — happy happy birthday! ♥ )
xoxo,
Em

curried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops recipe (via thepigandquill.com) #spicy #vegan #dairyfree #sweetscurried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops recipe (via thepigandquill.com) #spicy #vegan #dairyfree #sweetscurried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops recipe (via thepigandquill.com) #spicy #vegan #dairyfree #sweets
curried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops
 
Prep time
Total time
 
By:
Makes: 10 pops
Ingredients
  • 3 cups cantaloupe, cubed
  • ¾ cup light coconut milk
  • generous ¼ cup honey
  • ¾ tsp hot curry powder, such as vindaloo (I always use this one)
  • pinch sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling
  • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
  1. Spread shredded coconut in a thin layer on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in a 300F oven (or toaster oven!) until just golden -- just a couple of mins. (Keep a close eye on it as it can go from nada to blackened ash in a moment's time!) Allow to cool.
  2. Meanwhile, add cantaloupe, coconut milk, honey, curry powder and a pinch of sea salt to a blender and blend until smooth.
  3. Add 3 T of cooled toasted coconut (reserve remaining 1 T) to cantaloupe mixture and stir (or blend on lowest setting) to combine.
  4. Pour pop mixture into molds (I used this one) and freeze for 30-45 mins, then insert sticks and continue to freeze until firm, at least 6 hours or overnight.
  5. To serve, dip pop mold in warm water for 30 seconds and remove pops. Sprinkle with reserved toasted coconut and sea salt. Enjoy!
Notes
I like using a hot curry powder, such as Penzey's Vindaloo, for this recipe because it contrasts so interestingly with the cool, summery melon, but feel free to use your favorite sweet or more savory curry blend if you prefer. And I can't get enough of this simple ice pop mold -- though I usually ditch the lid since it can be tricky to remove if (or should I say when) the sticks don't freeze completely straight.
curried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops recipe (via thepigandquill.com) #spicy #vegan #dairyfree #sweets

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9 Comments on “curried cantaloupe + toasted coconut ice pops”

  1. Oh my goodness! You make me laugh out loud. This whole post was so funny! I clicked the link and my heart melted just like these popsicles must in all of your tata sweating weather. Crazy cute kid and that sweet little smile!
    Curried cantaloupe (it took me 5 minutes and multiple sounding out attempts to spell that right…argh go away little red line!) sounds inspired. I love the idea of serving it as a soup. I think you are the first person to post a recipe for a popsicle and a soup with all of the same ingredients! I love it.

    1. Oh my god, Kathryn, you wanna talk about squiggly red lines? My wordpress editor HATES me when I’m drafting a post. Something about half the words not existing in the English language or something. I so feel ya. 🙂 And really, isn’t ANY popsicle just a fancy chilled soup before it’s frozen? I mean, that’s what I tell myself when I’m drinking the leftovers straight outta the Vitamix. #classy. 😉

  2. DUDE. I THINK WE APPLIED FOR THE SAME BOOB SWEAT JOB. Ooof. These look delish. I want to rub them on my body. Not in like a sexy way, but in a survival way. Where if fall? #grumpyface. Also, that baby hat?! STAWP. Thanks so much for the link love. I heart you, per uje.

    1. OMG and we both got hired, amirite? It’s so much cooler this week, but I feel like there’s one more sweaty wave headed our way. At least the nights are cooler now. Sweaty sheets are the WORST. If that happens, know that no judgement will take place over here if you choose to give yourself a pop rubdown. Shit is real.

  3. These sound SO, so, so incredible, Emily! Thanks for the link love, too, lady. These are a WAY better idea for the heat than roasting vegetables, IMHO. Not to knock myself, or anything. But seriously. Curried cantaloupe and toasted coconut is WHERE. IT’S. AT.

    1. Thank YOU for being such a wordsmith when it comes to talking about schweating balls, lady. Or you know, figurative balls. Or something. 🙂 And roasting veggies are just as cool in that fighting-fire-with-fire kind way. Cept it’s fighting sweat with…veggie sweat. Or something. Bye now…

  4. Pingback: pumpkin curry with peanuts, peas + crispy spice-crusted tofu | the pig & quill

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