Melon is Much More than Dessert

Though a lot of people relate rich flavorful soups with staying warm in the winter, here at The Local Palate we like to think outside of the norm—and we think we’ve found the ultimate soup for summertime.  Chef Deb Paquette of Nashville’s exquisite Etch Restaurant, has a tangy idea for the taste of summer in her roasted cantaloupe soup with ginger yogurt and pomegranate swirl.

“I love the flavor of roasted fruit,” says Paquette. “It completely changes the flavor of the cantaloupe.”

Paquette, an auteur in the food world and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, opened Etch just a couple of years ago to rave reviews. The restaurant showcases an array of Paquette’s signature dishes of fine American cuisine. She has featured her roasted cantaloupe soup on the menu several times to very positive reception.

She advises that you make sure you have really ripe cantaloupe—the riper the better—and suggests pairing the soup with a glass of cava garnished with a lime. “I like this recipe because it’s something people haven’t heard of,” she adds. “But really, it’s something everyone should have fun with!”

Roasted Cantaloupe Soup with Ginger Yogurt & Pomegranate Swirl
from Chef Deb Paquette of Etch Restaurant, Nashville, TN