A refreshing cucumber-watermelon salad that pairs spicy-sweet watermelon wedges with lime-infused cucumbers. Spicy and cooling, effortless and composed, this simple summer salad is a knockout.
Our family has three late July birthdays. My own, which I had no control over, and my two daughters’, which, as it turns out, I had (almost) no control over either. After one miserable summer pregnancy, I swore I’d never do THAT again. Then I did THAT again anyway. It turned out alright in the end, save the fact that the latter half of July is absolutely manic.
Today, I’m baking cake and wrapping presents, and reliving all the moments just before my sweet baby (who is now, impossibly, SEVEN) came into the world. Thoughts of summer and pregnancy always remind me of watermelon because once, very, very pregnant on a steamy summer day in Brooklyn, I ate an entire watermelon by myself and it was glorious.
These days, my watermelon benders are slightly more restrained – I feel like a quarter of a watermelon is about right for any day where the temperature tips above 90. And instead of going whole hog on plain old watermelon, I sometimes chop it up into a composed salad that looks very fancy and tastes very good, and then I eat it all.
Whether or not you feel like sharing, this cucumber-watermelon salad is a simple summer knockout. The watermelon is liberally sprinkled with sumac, chipotle chili powder, and sea salt, while the cucumbers are salted and doused with lime juice. The result is a lively salad, at once cool and hot, and very refreshing. An assertive barrel-aged feta and a few handful of fresh herbs round it all out.
Finally, as I relive my own summer pregnancies, I keep thinking of my friend Sarah, who is expecting a new baby very soon. Sending you love and watermelon, Sarah, and all my best as you get ready to welcome your new baby boy.
- 1 medium cucumber, sliced 1/16-inch thick with a mandoline
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
- 1/2 a small watermelon or 1/4 of both a red and yellow watermelon, rind removed, seeded, and cut into triangles or half-moon wedges
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sumac
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground white pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder (see note above)
- 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese, preferably barrel-aged sheep's milk feta
- 2 tablespoons each minced basil, parsley, and mint
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Place cucumbers in a medium-sized bowl and toss with lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Set aside while you prep the rest of the salad.
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In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, sumac, pepper, and chipotle chili powder. Arrange watermelon slices on a platter and sprinkle all over with spice mixture (there will be a bit leftover).
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Drain accumulated juices from cucumbers, and tuck in groups all around the watermelon.
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Top salad with crumbled feta and minced herbs. Serve immediately.
What a gorgeous salad. I am loving the addition of sumac.
Beautiful photos as well.
Watermelon and cucumber, and feta cheese. I going to do it!
I’m very much into savory fruit salad these days. This looks delicious (and beautiful).
We LOVED this! Such a great take on a savory watermelon salad.
I am so glad to hear that, Ann! Thanks for sharing your experience!