Summer Treats: Whole Fruit Popsicles

Homemade Popsicles are delicious and healthy treats. Note: be sure to finely chop fruit if serving to infants or toddlers. Photos: Ali Segersten http://www.NourishingMeals.com

Cool down this summer with homemade fruit Popsicles. You’ll save money and reduce wasteful packaging by making your own. Plus, by adding in pieces of whole fruit, these healthy treats become quite beautiful and irresistible!

I’ve made homemade Popsicles so many ways – you can puree whole fruit and pour it into molds, use any type of freshly pressed juice, or use mixtures of coconut milk or yogurt and fresh fruit purees swirled together. The other week we had an abundance of freshly picked organic strawberries, and I made strawberry fruit pops by chopping up fresh strawberries, placing them into molds, and then filling them up the rest of the way with apple juice.

Watermelon Whole Fruit Popsicles

You can replace the watermelon puree with honeydew melon or cantaloupe puree. Use any fresh organic fruit you have on hand. I like using contrasting colors because it makes the Popsicles look so pretty! Don’t forget to use seedless watermelon, unless you number among those who enjoy munching the seeds too.

• 3 cups watermelon puree (about ¼ to ½ a watermelon)
• ½ cup fresh blueberries
• ½ cup chopped fresh strawberries
• 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
• 1 peach or nectarine, diced small
• Handful fresh cherries, pitted & chopped

Cut the watermelon into chunks and then puree it in a blender until smooth. Set aside.

Set out about 1 dozen Popsicle molds (amount needed will vary depending on size of molds). Fill each one with the chopped fresh fruit. Then pour in the watermelon puree until each mold is full to the top. Place a popsicle stick into each one. Place into your freezer and freeze for about 6 to 8 hours.

When ready to serve, run the popsicle molds under warm water for a few seconds and then pull the popsicles out. Enjoy!