Meat, fish, milk and eggs off the table. That’s the philosophy of Veganism, which totally excludes the use of animal products and their derivatives. Considered a niche event until short time ago, today more and more people, mainly women aged between 25 and 34, are “converting” to this diet, making a choice that is not only bound to health, but also to ethics. In the “coffee and surroundings” section, Chef Carmelo Chiaramonte continues accompanying us in his trips and makes us found out how vegan cuisine can be pleasantly delicious, easy to prepare and within everyone’s means.
Ammazza Calura (Heat killer)
The slow and scraping pace of summer afternoons dries out the taste buds. The throat seeks for freshness, living Mediterranean fruits and refreshing limbs of tasty coolness. A long glaze takes us the habits of our Iberian cousins, who are able to find a solution to heat with liquid sense and red spoons made of tomato, cucumber and peppers to drink. Taking this great soup back to Italy, we replace tomato, which we put everywhere, with watermelon this time. Peppers are taken back to aromatic basics and cucumbers “become” light and raw zucchini.
Watermelon Gazpacho and cold broth
Howe to prepare it
Once the small pasta is cooked and drained, water-cool under the tap. Mix the watermelon into the vegetable mill or blender together with half of the peppers. Arrange the rest in four bowls dressing at one’s pleasure. A healthy and funny spice for the palate instead of salt: an oriental combination of seaweed, sesame and salts. All ingredients have to be very cold and it’s not a bad idea to put them into the freezer for about thirty minutes before using them. Patient foodies would freeze some watermelon juice the day before, in order to obtain ice cubes to add to the gazpacho.
Ingredients for 4 portions:
- 400 g watermelon pulp without seeds
- 40 g cornetto peppers, washed and cut into long julienne strips
- 100 g white zucchini cut into strips (or grated)
- 80 g of small pasta cooked in boiled and salty water
- 4 teaspoons of gomashio
- Olive oil to one’s liking
- 1 tuft of mint to one’s liking or a finely chopped celery heart
Recommended song for the reading of the present article: Watermelon man – Herbie Hancock
