by Alex Tuller for the August 17, 2006 Podcast
Melon
Nectarines
Strawberries
Berries
Fresh ricotta
Whole milk plain yogurt
Heavy cream
Melons are amazing this year. So are the nectarines. So are our strawberries. It is worth it to have your own strawberry patch because they are amazing and satisfying.
The best fruit is going to smell good. I know that the fine art of picking a melon eludes many of us, but I just pick them up and smell them. If they smell good, have no blemishes, super soft spots, I take it home with me; after I pay for it. It us usually pretty good.
So pick three or four types of fruit and for the ones that need to be cut up, cut them into similar sized dice. I peel my nectarines or peaches for textural purposes only. I mix everything up in a nice sized bowl and let is all sit for a little while.
If you have available to you an outstanding fresh ricotta, then pull it out of the fridge long enough prior to eating for it to come close to room temperature. Scoop a big spoonful of it into a bowl, drizzle a little honey over it and then top it with your fruit. Delicious. Joe Papovich at the Rhinebeck Farmers market has a great fresh ricotta if you’re up there on Sundays.
The other thing to do is mix a little heavy cream with some plain whole milk yogurt. How sour or creamy you like it is up to you. Then let people spoon it how ever much they want over their fruit.