About four years back, I had attended a blogger gathering organized by California Strawberries. It was in the scenic city of Carmel. We visited several farms, spoke to the talented farmers, learnt all about strawberries and gobbled on the sweet fruit for three days in a row. This year, I am joining hands with them once again to spread more strawberry love with this Strawberry and Watermelon Spicy Gazpacho.
Strawberries are naturally sweet but low in sugar. One serving of strawberries has less than half the sugar of an apple and half the calories of a banana. This makes it ideal for an everyday diet. Clinical research suggests that eating just a serving of eight strawberries is good for the whole body. It promotes healthy heart, manages diabetic, supports brain health and reduces the risk of some cancers. Strawberries are packed with beneficial antioxidants and nutrients including potassium, folate and fiber. Antioxidants, fiber and phytochemicals in strawberries have been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels. Plus, the potassium found in strawberries can help control blood pressure and fight strokes.
With so much goodness, there is no reason why you shouldn’t indulge on strawberries every single day!
Strawberries go in my morning smoothie, oatmeal and I also top it on cakes and desserts. It also goes in my kid’s lunch box. And when the temperatures shoot up, strawberries make great gazpachos too.
This Spicy Strawberry Watermelon Gazpacho had roasted cumin seeds, fennel seeds and a few dashes of hot sauce. The flavor blend gives a lovely earthy spicy flavor. I just mixed everything and let it sit in the refrigerator for an hour or so. Then blend it to a smooth consistency. Making gazpacho is so easy and it needs no cooking! It’s a perfect summer treat for sure.
Strawberry And Watermelon Spicy Gazpacho
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 3 cups hulled and quartered strawberries
- 1 cup diced watermelon
- 1 cup diced tomato
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1½ teaspoon tabasco or hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt plus more to sprinkle while serving
- Few basil leaves and slices of strawberries for garnish
Instructions
- Place a small pan on medium high heat and when it’s hot enough, scatter the fennel seeds and cumin seeds. Dry roast for a few seconds by shaking the pan every now and then. Once the color of the spices changes to a mildly darker shade, switch off the heat. Put the roasted spice in a mortar pestle and crush it to a fine dust.
- Take a big mixing bowl and drop the strawberries, watermelon, tomatoes, half of the onion, roasted and powdered spice, hot sauce, vinegar, salt and extra virgin olive oil. Mix it properly. Cover the bowl with a clear wrap and let it sit in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Take it out of the refrigerator and blend it to a smooth consistency.
- Garnish with rest of the chopped red onion, strawberry slices and basil leaves. Sprinkle some kosher salt on top and drizzle extra virgin olive oil.
Nutrition
VERÓNICA
What a great combination of ingredients! Very sad because the strawberries season has just finished in Spain but I´ll keep the recipe for the next year.
Evi @ greenevi
Oh wow, what a beautiful soup! I've tried gazpacho with watermelon before (and loved it), but this strawberry version is totally new to me. But sounds amazing, definitely going to try it on the next warm day here 🙂
Laura | Tutti Dolci
So pretty, this gazpacho is perfect for hot August days!
Kate @MyLittleLarder
Your trip to Carmel sounds idyllic! I have driven through there once and thought it was such a beautiful part of the world, I loved it! Also loving your delicious soup and amazing photos (as always)! Can't wait for it to be summer here so I can make some.
Alia | Everyday Easy
Hi Kankana! What a unique gazpacho recipe!! The strawberry and watermelon makes it perfect for summertime. Lovely photos too! 🙂
Meg | Meg is Well
I love all the pictures of strawberries! They're so bright and beautiful. And I'm so used to thinking of gazpacho as only a tomato soup so I love how you've changed it up.
Kate
Vibrant and stunning!
heather (dng)
this sounds so refreshing! the last couple of blocks on my walk home from work are uphill, so i could have used a bowlful when i collapsed on my floor in a sweaty mess today (;
Kelsie
Kankana, as always, your photos are beyond gorgeous! This sounds like the most refreshing thing I'll eat all summer. Love it!
angiesrecipes
A perfect summer soup! Beautiful photography as always.