When you complain on social media about the temperature in Portland getting up to 100 F, people in southern locations tend to make fun of you for being a baby about the heat. But what they don’t realize is that since summer is normally pretty mild here, most people have no air conditioning. We just tough out that couple of days each August when it’s too hot, and then it’s back to bearable temperatures. But not this summer. This year it’s been week after week of heat, and we finally broke down and bought a window air unit, so that one room in our house can be comfortable. For the rest of the house, we’ll just have to eat popsicles to cool down.

Which is where these frozen melon pops come in. The combination of melon, lime, mint, and chili is unexpected, but really refreshing on a hot day. I won’t say it’s an adequate substitute for central air conditioning, but it will certainly take your mind off the heat for a bit.

Cantaloupe Lime Popsicles

Recipe adapted from here.
Makes about 10 popsicles

4 cups ripe cantaloupe, seeded, peeled, and cubed (1 small or 1/2 large melon)
Juice of half a lime
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed mint leaves
Pinch of salt
Chili powder

Bring water to a boil in a small pan. Add the sugar and salt, stir to dissolve, and remove from heat. Add the mint leaves, and allow to cool.

In a blender, combine cantaloupe, lime juice, and mint-sugar syrup, to taste. Blend until smooth.

If using conventional molds, divide the mixture among the molds, snap on the lid, and freeze until solid. If using glasses or other unconventional molds, freeze until the pops are beginning to set (about 1/2 hour), then insert the sticks and freeze until solid, 4 to 5 hours.

When you’re ready to eat, run hot water over the outside of the mold until you can pull the pop free, then sprinkle with chili powder, and enjoy!