Russian Fruit Salad

This fresh fruit medley is gleefully marinated in a blend of maple syrup, lemon and vodka.

1/2 cantaloupe, seeded and cubed (see note)
1/2 honeydew melon, seeded and cubed
1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 nectarines, pitted and sliced
1 cup blackberries or blueberries
1/4 watermelon, cubed
1/2 pound cherries, pitted and halved
1/3 cup lemon juice
2/3 cup vodka
1/3 cup pure maple syrup

Combine cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, nectarines, black- or blueberries, watermelon and cherries in a large bowl; sprinkle salad with lemon juice and toss gently. Whisk together maple syrup and vodka; pour on top of fruit salad; mix well and refrigerate until serving. Makes 20 servings.

Note: Melons can be exposed to salmonella and e. coli bacteria as they ripen on the ground. As a precaution, they should be washed with soap and hot water, then rinsed before proceeding with any recipe. This applies even if you are only using the flesh of the melon; the mere act of cutting through the rind is enough to bring harmful bacteria in contact with the flesh.