MELON COMPOTE (for six)
1-1/2 cups sugar
½ cup water
¼ cup fresh lime juice
a 1 inch piece gingerroot, grated
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 cups ¾ inch watermelon balls (from about a 3 pound piece, seeded)
2 cups ¾ inch honeydew melon balls (from about a 3 pound piece, seeded)
2 cups ¾ inch cantaloupe balls (from about a 3 pound piece, seeded)
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1. In a 1 quart saucepan bring water and sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, and simmer 2 minutes. Cool syrup and stir in lime juice, gingerroot, cumin, pepper and salt to taste, In a bowl toss together melon and syrup.
2. Chill compote, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.