Cucumber and melon salad is a light savory recipe with fruit, very refreshing and with ingredients rich in water and minerals. Perfect for hot summer days, it is quick to prepare, a great vegan alternative to the classic prosciutto and melon.
Delicious with the Carosello – Barattiere cucumber.
SEASONALITY
#cucumbers – May to September
#melon – June to September
SUMMER salad RECIPES
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4People
- Cooking methods: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer
- Energy 47.56 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 6.59 (g) of which sugars 4.95 (g)
- Proteins 0.90 (g)
- Fat 2.54 (g) of which saturated 0.39 (g)of which unsaturated 0.09 (g)
- Fibers 0.87 (g)
- Sodium 113.09 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 122 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Cucumber and Melon Salad
- 3 cucumbers (about 1 lb raw weight)
- 1/4 melon (about 10.6 oz raw weight)
- to taste salt
- to taste chili powder (or pepper or ginger)
- to taste lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
To decorate or serve with aromatic herbs: basil leaves, fennel, mint, or thyme.
Tools
- Chopping Board
- Knife with a smooth, well-sharpened blade
- Salad Bowl
Cucumber and Melon Salad
Wash and peel the cucumbers, cut them into pieces, first lengthwise and then into chunks.
Wash the melon, cut it into slices. Prepare melon cubes (or balls with a melon baller).
Place everything in a bowl and season with chili, salt, lemon juice, and oil. Mix.
It’s better to prepare the cucumber and melon salad in advance to allow the ingredients to blend their flavors. Before serving, add coarsely chopped aromatic herbs.
VEGAN Alternatives for Cucumber and Melon Salad
– Serve the cucumbers and melon inside half an emptied melon
– Use watermelon instead of melon or as an addition
– Add: grape berries, capers, arugula, olives, purslane leaves, celery slices
– Decorate with summer flowers: zucchini, borage, calendula, mallow
– Enrich with nuts and/or seeds
– Add marinated and/or grilled tofu cubes
– Integrate with croutons
– Prepare boats with larger cucumbers: cut them in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Fill as desired.
VEGETARIAN Variants
To make this dish complete, add animal-free rennet cheese cubes (caciotta, emmental, feta, galbanino, mozzarella, quartirolo…) or shaved parmesan.
Caprese with slices of melon, cucumber, mozzarella.
The cucumber and melon salad can also become an original dressing for cold pasta or rice salad.
How to use cucumbers? Prepare the Greek Tzatziki.
OMNIVORE Variant
Enrich with diced or thinly sliced cold cuts: bresaola, mortadella, raw ham, speck.
STORAGE
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container and consume within the day.
What to add to cucumbers?
To enhance the taste of cucumbers, you can season them with a splash of lemon and a pinch of salt. Add olive oil and pepper for an extra touch. Fresh herbs like mint, basil, or dill enhance their flavor. You can also pair the cucumbers with Greek yogurt and garlic for a refreshing tzatziki sauce.
How can you eat cucumbers?
Raw cucumbers can be eaten in various ways. Cucumbers can also be marinated in vinegar to make delicious pickles, or added to sandwiches and wraps for a crunchy and refreshing touch.
How to choose cucumbers?
To choose the best cucumbers, select those with a bright green color and firm texture. They should be free of dark spots or signs of bruising. Opt for cucumbers with a regular shape and smooth or slightly rough skin. Avoid those that feel soft to the touch, as they may be overripe or already in a state of decay. Finally, choose medium-small sized cucumbers, which tend to have fewer seeds and a crunchier flesh.
How to eat the cucumber melon (Barattiere)?
The cucumber melon, also known as barattiere, is mainly consumed raw. After washing it thoroughly, it can be sliced and enjoyed fresh in salads, along with other vegetables like tomatoes and lettuce. Its crunchy and slightly sweet flesh makes it ideal as a healthy snack, simply cut into pieces. Some prefer to add a pinch of salt or a few drops of lemon to enhance its flavor.
What to pair with melon?
Melon pairs perfectly with prosciutto, creating a delicious contrast between sweet and salty. You can also serve it with fresh cheeses like mozzarella or feta. For a refreshing appetizer, pair the melon with mint leaves and lemon juice. Other great pairings include walnuts and almonds, which add a pleasant crunch.
