Melon seed agua fresca

Chef Juan Gonzales and farmer Megan Strom
Mesa Agricola

Most of us are used to discarding melon seeds, but it’s surprisingly easy to put them to good use. This summer beverage is not only refreshing, but the addition of melon seeds also makes it packed full of nutritional benefits—including significant amounts of protein.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
2 Mexican cinnamon sticks, about 5 inches long
3/4 cup granulated sugar, or to taste
Seeds from 1 cantaloupe, plus chopped cantaloupe for garnish
1/4 cup crushed walnuts
Ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

Add 3 cups of very hot water to rice and cinnamon sticks in a bowl and cover. Set aside for at least 4 hours or overnight.

On medium-high speed, blend rice, cinnamon, sugar, cantaloupe seeds and water used for soaking for about 60 seconds. Strain through a very fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher and reserve rice for a second round of blending. Add reserved rice to blender and blend with an additional 5 cups of water. Strain again and discard rice.

Mix, taste and adjust sugar if necessary. Chill and mix well before serving over plenty of ice. Garnish with chopped cantaloupe, crushed walnuts and ground cinnamon.

Makes about 2 quarts