fresh frooters: fresh fruit shooters (with a kick!)

September in the south is always right on the cusp of fall with cool days and humid hot ones. On a steamy September day that leaves you thinking summer is still in high gear, try this deliciously fresh, fruity bite! This bite is inspired by Mexican lollipops that are fruity (watermelon, pineapple, ect.) but have a spicy chili powder center or have the chili powder mixed in with the lollipop. Those were some of my favorite candies as a kid. Fresh watermelon, cantaloupe, and mango are tossed with a spicy sweet dressing made with candied jalapeños, agave syrup and cilantro for this bite. If the heat is really getting to you, try freezing the fruit and then tossing it! Oh yeah, and this is a three step recipe that will take a total of 15 minutes!

Ingredients: (8-10 small shooters)
2 cups cubed mango
2 cups cubed watermelon
2 cups cubed cantaloupe
4 tbl sp candied jalapeño syrup
1 tsp dill pickle juice
1 tbl sp agave syrup
2 candied jalapeños
2 dill pickles
2 pinches cayenne pepper (to taste)
1/4 cup cilantro
1/2 key lime


Step one: cube all of the fruit.
Step two: put all of the ingredients that are not fruit or cilantro into the blender. Mix ingredients in the blender making sure that the pickles and jalapeños are finely ground into the mixture. Add cilantro and blend for a few seconds until the cilantro is finely chopped.
Step three: mix all of the fruit in a large bowl, toss with the dressing, and squeeze some lime in there if you want! Put into shooter glasses and serve!

As always, please let me know how this turned out if you tried this recipe! Happy eating!