I am not the one to jump on a trend wagon, but summer is all about fresh from the farmer's markets (or your garden) fruits and vegetables. So today, because it is summer, because watermelons are in plenty right now, and because they are trending (uhmm), I am sharing my take on watermelon salad. Living in the Midwest does not give us a huge window to enjoy all the nature's bounty, so I am taking it all in while it lasts. There are so many watermelons in the stores and farmer's markets right now that it is hard to overlook them. I do not know the tricks to picking a good watermelon that people swear by, but I've not really had any bad luck with picking one. So pick a decent watermelon (the sweeter the better) and go on to make this simple and refreshing salad.
Jump to RecipeEach component of this salad plays an important act in the final drama of this salad, so contrary to what I normally suggest, please try to follow this recipe as is. Consider this statement as a disclaimer...ha ha. This salad comes from the memory of my taste-buds. I once had something similar at a conference reception - you know the kind that you pay a ridiculous amount to buy a ticket for and they bring teeny tiny food on sticks. Yup. That kind. Another inspiration for this salad came from a friend who shared a picture of a middle eastern watermelon salad that a student brought to her world cultures class. I combined the salad of my memory with the information that my friend shared with her picture and created this salad. This salad is fresh and light with a combination of sweet and savory notes.
Recipe Run Down
Cubed watermelon gets mixed with thinly sliced red onion (also try it with pickled red onions), feta cheese and fresh mint leaves. A sprinkle of pink Himalayan salt and a drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil take it to the next level. I would not let the salad sit for too long after being mixed since the mint kind of looses it's freshness and feta losses it's texture. So here it goes:
Easy Watermelon Salad
Ingredients
- 4 lb seedless watermelon, about 6 cups cut into bite size cubes
- ⅓ cup thinky sliced red onions
- ½ cup Feta cheese crumbles
- 8-10 mint leaves thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon Pink Himalayan salt (kaala namak)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- ½ cup blueberries Optional
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine watermelon, mint, and red onions.
- Sprinkle the watermelon salad with the pink salt, top with the feta cheese, and drizzle the olive oil.
- Give a gentle mix and taste check. Transfer to a serving platter and scatter blueberries on top (if using). Enjoy!
This is as simple as it gets but the flavor combination is fantastic. If you give it a try please let me know. I love hearing from you.
Love - Vaishali.
Tools used:
Knives:Chopping Board:Mixing Bowl:
Measuring Cups: Measuring Spoons:
JK Darling
What a combo and a perfect treat to beat the heat. 😊
Samar
I will be waiting for the summer season, for this dish.... looks awesome...
Adharsh
Great fan of watermelon. They are great to use in summers. Only tried their juice. I will share this recipe to my mom. Thanks for sharing.
The Travel Bunny
This looks mouthwatering. Too bad I can't find any watermelons in the middle of Winter where I live 🙁
Vaishali
Me neither. Dreaming of summer..:P
Cyndi Buchanan
Yum! I might have to make this for our potluck tomorrow minus the onions. My yogi friends are sattvic so onions are a no go for them.
Vaishali
That's so interesting Cyndi. Many members of my family back in India are also Saatvik..<3
Tracy Foster
This looks delicious, I sure am ready for summer now!
Vaishali
Yup, can't wait...this winter has already been too bad..
Amanda
Mmm! This looks delicious. I am going to bookmark this for later. It looks like something right up my alley.
TheHappyFoodKitchen
This looks amazing! I can’t stop enough of watermelon this year as they all seem to be delicious. Nothing better than making them part of more meals!
Lesley (makemeupblogs)
Watermelons are my favourite fruit and this watermelon salad sounds delicious!
Adrienne Bruner
This is the perfect summer treat! Watermelon and mint is so good together!