Watermelon Basil Superfood Smoothie

Juicy red watermelon is a wonderful refreshing summer treat. It has very high water content (92%!!!) while retaining a subtle crunchy texture. The water drenched sweetness makes it one my go-to fruits to re-hydrate and replenish depleted muscle glycogen after a hard workout.  Watermelon is an unusual fruit source of lycopene and a rich source of phenolic antioxidants. Most people think of tomatoes as a high lycopene fruit, so it may be surprising that watermelon, especially the deep red fleshed variety, can have higher lycopene content.
Watermelon also contains cucurbitacin E, a triterpene anti-inflammatory phytonutrient, and unusual amounts of the amino acid citrulline. It is a great source of vitamin C and a good source of pantothenic acid, copper, biotin, potassium, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), vitamin B1, vitamin B6, and magnesium.
The watermelons from my local CSA are often humongous and arrive consistently.  They can be a challenge to use up!  Fortunately they are easy to freeze.  Frozen watermelon makes a great treat on its own, and it's also the fruit in my favorite superfood smoothie. The only trick to freezing watermelon is to set individual pieces on parchment paper or a cookie sheet to keep them from sticking together.  Once the pieces are frozen they can be transferred to a container and stored all summer.
To make this smoothie, you just need a cup or two of frozen watermelon, a dark leafy green, nut milk and your favorite herb.  I enjoy frozen watermelon smoothies with mint, cardamon or basil, which I like best.  I also found that beet greens work really well since they retain some of the red color, although generally the smoothie will turn brown in the milk if you use a lot, like I do.

Watermelon Basil Superfood Smoothie

Ingredients

1 1/2-cups frozen watermelon slices
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 cup dark leafy greens
2-3 leafs of basil
1 tbsp hemp seeds, chia or flax
1 tbsp dired goji berries

Steps

1. Throw all ingredients except for the goji berries in the blender.
2. Blend on low until well combined, gradually turning speed to high until very smooth.
3. Pour into a glass and garnish with goji berries and extra basil.