Watermelon and Cucumber Salad

My recipe for watermelon and cucumber salad is light and rich, and sweet and savory all at the same time. It’s a refreshing combination of juicy watermelon, crispy cucumbers, and salty feta or Ricotta Salata that I think you will really enjoy. I also include sharp red onions, a tiny pinch of red chili flake heat, and a bright dressing composed of lemon, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. The menthol from the mint and the sweet peppery taste of the basil wonderfully accent the salad and make it smell so delicious!

This is my favorite way to eat watermelon. It’s a very hydrating recipe to dig into on a hot and humid summer day, but really, this dish can be made no matter the temperature as long as watermelon is in season. If you’re craving a light bite that feels indulgent but isn’t, look no further than this perfect summer salad!

No surprise here but balling watermelon is tedious af

…buuuut I like the aesthetic of all the ingredients having different shapes, so melon balling it is

My recipe for watermelon and cucumber salad is the perfect salad to share with your friends and family at a BBQ. It’s easy to prepare, and the list of ingredients won’t burn a hole in your wallet. It’s salty and sweet and ready to eat just as soon as you chop and assemble all of its components in a bowl. I served my salad inside the melon itself, but feel free to use whatever serving ware you feel like choosing. This salad pretty much goes with any summertime grilling staple, like shrimp, pork, or chicken. It’s a fun, and unique dish that I guarantee will liven up any table at any event that you bring it to.

I feel hydrated already

Ingredients

• 8 cups of seedless watermelon

• 1 large English cucumber, quartered and chopped

• 1/2 cup of red onion, finely chopped

• 1 cup of feta cheese or Ricotta Salata

• 1/4 cup minced fresh mint, plus a pinch extra for garnish

• 1/4 cup of fresh basil

  (optional): 1 fresh jalapeño, sliced thin

  (optional): 2 diced avocados

  (optional): 3 cups of arugula

Dressing Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of olive oil

• 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar

• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or lime juice

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of red chili flakes (depending on how much you like heat)

Instructions

1. Cut and halve the watermelon

2. Using a melon baller, scoop out the watermelon and place it in a large bowl, saving the rind

3. Cut the cucumber in half, quarter it, and chop, adding it to the bowl with the watermelon

4. Finely chop the red onion and add it to the bowl

5. Cut the feta or Ricotta Salata into cubes and place aside in a separate bowl or plate

6. Chop 1/4 cup of fresh mint and 1/4 cup of fresh basil and set aside

7. In a small bowl or cup, combine dressing ingredients and whisk for one minute

8. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss

9. Add in the basil, mint, and cheese, gently tossing the salad to distribute the ingredients evenly

10. Transfer the salad to the hollowed-out watermelon rind and enjoy