When the summer heat calls for something refreshing that doesn’t require turning on the oven, this vibrant watermelon and feta salad delivers the perfect harmony of sweet, salty, and herbaceous flavors. This Mediterranean-inspired dish celebrates the season’s bounty while providing a nutritional boost that will leave you feeling energized and refreshed. Watermelon is rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that supports heart health and may help protect against certain types of cancer. With over 90% water content, watermelon provides excellent hydration while delivering vitamin C for immune support and citrulline, an amino acid that may help improve blood flow and reduce muscle soreness. Feta cheese, made from sheep’s milk or a blend of sheep and goat’s milk, offers satiating protein, calcium for bone health and probiotics that support digestive wellness. Its lower lactose content makes it more easily digestible than many other cheeses, especially for people with dairy sensitivities. Feel free to swap in another variety of melon or cantaloupe if that’s what you have on hand; it will pair just as deliciously with the feta and herbs. 

Serves 2-4 (easily multiplied to scale up)

Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cubed seedless watermelon (about 1-inch pieces), chilled
• 1 cup cubed feta cheese (about 1-inch pieces to match the watermelon)
• 1 teaspoon fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh mint, finely chopped
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• Pinch of flaky sea salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. Arrange the watermelon cubes and feta cheese in a checkerboard pattern on a serving platter or in a shallow bowl.
2. Sprinkle over the chopped chives, mint and lemon zest.
3. Drizzle over the olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with extra sprigs of mint if desired, and enjoy!

Recipe notes: Serve over a bed of arugula for a more substantial dish. This also pairs perfectly with grilled fish or chicken. To serve a crowd, multiply the recipe accordingly and consider simply tossing all the ingredients together gently in a large bowl rather than arranging on a platter.