Mediterranean Watermelon Salad

I went to an Emmy party that had a reception hosted by top chefs. One of the dishes they served was a refreshing Mediterranean watermelon salad.  It inspired me to create a recipe like it of my own.

I hope you enjoy this Mediterranean Watermelon Salad

Mediterranean Watermelon Salad

Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski

A delightful and nutritious end-of-the-summer salad made with watermelon and fresh vegetables.

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Prep Time 10 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Salad

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups of watermelon chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 small Persian cucumber chopped
• 2-4 thin slices of onion cut in half
• 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped bell pepper I used mini yellow and orange bell peppers
• 6-12 Kalamata olives pitted and sliced in half
• 2 fresh mint leaves chopped

Dressing

• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• juice of a small lime squeezed
• 1 clove of garlic crushed
• 1/2 tsp honey

Instructions

 

• Assemble the chopped vegetables, watermelon, and mint on salad plates

Dressing

• Blend all ingredients. Drizzle over salad

What makes this salad so Mediterranean in nature is that it combines sweet watermelon with more savory vegetables like Kalamata olives, baby bell peppers, cucumbers, and just a touch of mint. The dressing has a mixture of lime and honey making it sweet and zesty.

The benefits of eating watermelon

Watermelon is one of the healthiest fruits you can eat.  Deep red watermelons have more lycopene than even tomatoes.  They also contain antioxidant carotenoids,  lutein, and beta-carotene to lower blood pressure, improve arterial and cardiovascular health, and reduce soreness after exercise. Because the fruit is 92 percent water it will help keep you hydrated. That’s important for everybody, but especially if you’re over 50.

If you’re having blood pressure issues, kidney disorders, diabetes, immune system problems, impotence, or macular degeneration add watermelon to your diet when it’s in season.  It couldn’t hurt.

What other ways do you serve watermelon?  Please leave a comment below.