- 2 pounds cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, cut into large pieces
- 1 1/4 cups Essencia or other sweet dessert wine
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 star anise pod (optional)
- 1 cup 1/4-inch-dice peeled seeded watermelon
- 1 cup 1/4-inch-dice peeled seeded cantaloupe
- 1 cup 1/4-inch-dice peeled seeded honeydew melon
- Fresh mint sprigs
- A brown, star-shaped seed pod available at specialty foods stores.
- Puree cantaloupe in blender. Add 1/2 cup Essencia and 1/2 cup sugar; blend until sugar dissolves. Transfer to ice cream maker; process according to manufacturer's instructions. Freeze in covered container. (Can be made 1 week ahead.)
- Combine 3/4 cup Essencia, 1/4 cup sugar and star anise in heavy small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 4 minutes. Chill until cold. (Can be made 1 day ahead.)
- Remove star anise from syrup. Add diced melon to syrup and toss gently. Scoop sorbet into glasses. Spoon compote over. Garnish with mint.