the Speckled Ghoul: Kiwi Popsicles

Summer is hot. And sticky. And sunny. All the things I hate.

I shake my fist at you, summer, and counter your cruel weather and bathing-suit filled days with... the Speckled Ghoul. (the Speckled Ghoul is the icebox treat I made up last night, using ingredients in my kitchen on the use 'em or lose 'em list -- I only made half the recipe I describe below, so split the ingredient list down the middle if you want)

Even the Husband-to-Be was impressed, and he was skeptical at first of eating a kiwi-filled foodstuff. You'll need:

1. 4 kiwi fruits, skinned
   
2. 6 oz. pineapple juice (1 of those small cans)
3. juice from 8 lemons (around 1 cup, maybe a bit more)
   
4. 1 cup sugar
5. 6 little dixie cups, or small popsicle molds, or an icecube tray
   
6. popsicle sticks, the popsicle base that comes with popsicle molds, or toothpicks
7. 3 blueberries per mold - optional

Directions for the Speckled Ghoul

Blend your kiwis. I used a food processor. When they are liquefied, add the juices and blend well. Add your sugar. Blend even more well. Taste your concoction - feel free to use more or less sugar to balance the tart taste of lemons, per your own taste.

We found that the liquid mixture tasted sweeter than the final, frozen ice pop. But maybe we're crazy.

Pour the mixture into your "Things You'll Need #5" of choice. If using the small dixie cups, like I did, this should fill 6 cups.

To make a 'face' in your ghoul, use three blueberries. You'll need to push two down, parallel to eachother and make sure they touch the side of your cup. Push the third down so that it is just above but between the bottom two berries. The liquid should be thick enough that they will stay in place (if you don't rattle the cup too much). When it finishes freezing, the blueberries poke through to make a ghostly little face if you've done it right (I didn't on the first try... just so's ya know).

Put your "Things You'll Need #6" of choice in to give your popsicle and handle. Do this gently if using the blueberries.

Place in your freezer, and leave overnight. Enjoy the next day - preferrably from a shady spot where you can mock the sun with your cool treat.


- Country Living Kiwi Ice Pops (an alternative recipe for you)