Hey, mi gente! It's summertime, and you know what that means – the season of juicy watermelons and crisp cucumbers! No sancocho around these parts, no way. It's too hot. All I want to eat is cold things. In particular, this delicious sweet and savory watermelon cucumber salad! Cold salads have been a staple around this hot swamp. But not just leafy green salads. I'm talkin' pasta salads, tomato salads, and yes, fruit salads!
First and foremost, let's talk about the star of the show – the watermelon. Watermelon is so much more than just a delicious summer treat. This juicy wonder offers so much hydration, keeping us cool and refreshed with all that water content. And guess what? It's packed with vitamins A and C, which support our immune system and give us that radiant, glowing skin. But wait, there's more! Watermelon has this thing called lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant. So, next time you grab a slice of watermelon, relish the taste and know that you're treating your body to a whole bunch of health benefits too! Cheers to that!
Next up, we have the ever-refreshing cucumber. I'll be honest, I don't love cucumbers. Most of the time I find them too watery... well, in this heat, the more watery the better! Maybe I'll try celery next... Anyway, they effortlessly lend their cool, crunchy essence to this salad, perfectly complementing the sweet watermelon. They add a subtle yet satisfying flavor that plays beautifully with the other ingredients, not overpowering at all if you're like me.
The red onions in this recipe are like flavor bombs with a stunning purple-red color. These were a little sweet and also spicy. I'm sure they'd caramelize nicely.
Now, let's talk about the secret ingredient that takes this salad to the next level – crumbled feta cheese. The tangy, salty notes of feta dance gracefully with the sweetness of the watermelon and the spiciness of the red onion. I recommend using high-quality feta to truly appreciate the depth of flavor it brings to the dish, if accessible. I used Vigo sheep's milk feta cheese and it was sooo so good.
As if the watermelon, cucumber, onions, and feta weren't enough to tantalize your palate, the salad also incorporates some fresh mint leaves. The herbaceous aroma of mint provides a burst of freshness, turning this salad into a symphony of flavors.
The Dressing:
To tie all the elements together, a simple dressing made of lemon juice and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil with a pinch of salt works wonders. It enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients without overpowering them, allowing you to savor every single bite.
One of the things I love most about this Watermelon Cucumber Feta Summer Salad is its versatility. It makes a fantastic side dish for any grilled meal, adding a touch of sophistication to barbecues and picnics. But it's not limited to just that! I sometimes enjoy it as a side dish, or even a refreshing mid-afternoon snack.
So without further ado, here's the recipe!
Recipe
Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 0 minutes
Ingredients
· 1/4 Large watermelon (3 cups), cubed
· 1/2 Large English cucumber, sliced
· 1/2 Red onion, sliced
· 1 Bunch of mint, chopped
· 2 oz feta, crumbled (optional, but highly recommended)
· 1/4 Tbsp oil
· Juice of 1 lemon
· Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Combine the watermelon, cucumber, and red onion in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and salt
3. Dress watermelon, cucumber, and red onion, and top with mint and feta. Mix together gently. Serve chilled.
And there you have it, folks! It's such a quick and easy recipe, and it keeps in the fridge nicely for 2-3 days. You can feel free to get creative with the ingredients-- use other herbs like dill, or oregano. Make it spicy, do whatever fills you with joy, but make sure you try this in some way, shape, or form!
It's the perfect salad to take to the BBQ or cookout. It's so colorful and refreshing, it's sure to draw attention. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
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