‘Otai – A Tongan Traditional Watermelon Drink

A favored drink from Polynesia

Summertime is more than, but watermelons are nevertheless hanging on – why not take it a little bit further more and make a memorable watermelon consume. I have been residing in Polynesia for the earlier 20 many years, and this consume generally will make a massive hit at gatherings. You will operate out of it before the food is even served.

Make sure you use clear surfaces and clean your hands and resources you use. Very first, pick your watermelon. Look about the watermelons and find a person that is symmetrical, agency, and free of bruises, cuts, or dents. Decide it up. It need to be heavy for its measurement, as watermelons are 92% drinking water. The exterior of the watermelon ought to have a uninteresting, healthy sheen. It should really not have a vibrant, shiny floor. Flip it more than. The underside really should have a notify-tale “ripe spot”, a creamy yellow spot exactly where the watermelon sat on the floor. This place develops as the melon grows on the soil. If the place is greenish or white in colour, it is not ripe still. Watermelons do not continue to ripen the moment they have been picked, so this is an essential clue to view for.

It is least complicated to decide on a watermelon without having seeds, but if you have 1 with seeds, this will be the most tiresome section. Lower watermelon in fifty percent and spoon out seeds – the little yellow ones do not rely. Then use a fork or potato masher to mash the fruit. You want it to nevertheless be fleshy (it is a consume you try to eat and drink at the similar time). Now put half of the mashed watermelon into a massive bowl and insert two quarts of water, 1 to two cups of sugar or sugar substitute (depending on choice), two cups of 50 percent and 50 percent (body fat totally free is greatest) or 1 can of coconut milk. You can also throw in a handful of grated coconut from a bag – or grate a contemporary coconut, if you have encounter executing so.

Include a person can of crushed pineapple or use clean pineapple, peeled, cored and minimize in small pieces. Be guaranteed to mix right until the sugar no longer scrapes on the base of the container.

Chill right before serving or if you are in a hurry, you can add ice. I assure you will not be disappointed. You can increase shaved ice but drink before long or it will not be as great. Tongans make this consume out of environmentally friendly mangos, green apples and some other fruits. They also like to crack crackers into it. It normally takes a little getting applied to, so at initial just try out the watermelon/coconut/pineapple mixture.