Add cooled mixture and lime or lemon juice and blend again. Place cantaloupe chunks in a food processor and blend to a smooth puree. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Add herbs, and cook just until the sugar has dissolved.
To tell if the fruit is ripe, give it a sniff - it should smell sweet, as well as feel heavy for its size.ġ/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugarġ 1/4 pounds (from 1 medium melon) cantaloupe melon chunksĤ tablespoons freshly squeezed lime or lemon juiceĭump the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. I used basil in this refreshing melon pop, but mint or thyme also pair nicely with cantaloupe. Pour into the molds and freeze until set, 3 to 4 hours. Process until completely smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Place all the ingredients into the blender. You won’t taste the spinach at all, but you’ll enjoy all of the vegetable’s nutrients.ġ/2 cup water, milk or juice from pineapple These sound like they’d appeal only to health nuts, but they’re surprisingly yummy. Just know that doing so will lower the melting point of the mixture, resulting in a softer ice pop. If you want fresh and fruity, go for strawberries, peaches, melons or tropical fruits such as pineapple or kiwi think spinach, carrots and roasted beets if you’re trying to get a serving of vegetables into your kid.įor an adults-only treat, add some alcohol and a flavored simple syrup to re-create your favorite frozen cocktail - for instance, vodka and ginger-infused syrup for a Moscow mule pop. Think paper Dixie cups, spare ice-cube trays, plastic drink cups or even yogurt containers.Īnd you don’t even have to limit yourself to Popsicle’s all-time favorite cherry flavor, because almost any fruit or vegetable that can be pureed can be turned into an ice pop. You can also make ice pops in any type of freezable container. Websites such as Amazon have dozens of plastic and silicon molds in all prices ranges and colors to choose from, and you’ll also find them at big box stores like Target.
Plus, it allows you to add your own creative touch in the form of herbs and spices. Why go to the trouble? Making ice pops at home allows you to control the amount of sugar in the treats and also puts the kibosh on artificial flavors and preservatives. It could be as simple as blending some fruit with a little sugar in water and popping the mixture into the freezer, or you could spend a couple hours layering different colored purees into a striped masterpiece.