watermelon, ricotta salata & mint salad

July 9th, 2008 | Filed under: dessert, recipe, sides & bites | Tags: , , , ,

watermelon, ricotta salata & mint salad

Nothing says summer like watermelon and mint. Watermelon is a summer staple – so juicy, sweet and refreshing. Ricotta salata is a firmer, saltier version of standard ricotta and resembles feta in texture, though it’s slightly creamier. It’s also the perfect contrast to the sweet melon.

watermelon, ricotta salata & mint salad

I love this salad because it’s so versatile. You can serve mini versions as an hors d’ouevre as I did on Saturday night. Or as an appetizer, snack or even dessert. Depending on how your serving it, you can season it differently. If you’re going savory, drizzle the salad with some good-quality olive oil and a pinch of salt. If you’re serving it as a dessert or snack, drizzle it with honey and a sprinkle it with a coarse, finishing sugar.

Either way, it’s a delicious and unique salad perfect for hot summer evenings.

Watermelon, Ricotta Salata & Mint Salad

2 cups cubed watermelon
4 oz. ricotta salata
15 mint leaves, roughly chopped
2 tbsp. good-quality olive oil OR 2 tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. coarse salt (fleur de sel is best) OR 1 tsbp. coarse finishing sugar

Gently toss the watermelon, ricotta and mint together, then drizzle with the olive oil OR honey and sprinkle with the salt OR sugar.

13 Comments on “watermelon, ricotta salata & mint salad”

  1. 1 Rachel said at 7:21 am on July 9th, 2008:

    I can confirm that these were delicious. ;)

  2. 2 cookinpanda said at 9:11 am on July 9th, 2008:

    Simple but gorgeous. I love anything with fruit and mint. And, throw the feta on there and I’d say you’ve met perfection.

  3. 3 ttfn300 said at 10:03 am on July 9th, 2008:

    Who knew? I never would’ve put the two together, but this weekend I tried Mark Bittman’s watermelon-tomato-gorgonzola salad and loved it. I love summer! :)

  4. 4 mel said at 10:27 am on July 9th, 2008:

    Thanks! Love summer salads, too :)

  5. 5 maggie said at 2:13 pm on July 9th, 2008:

    cute presentation! and GREAT photos lately, mel. that new lens is treating you well :)

  6. 6 Erinn said at 6:33 pm on July 9th, 2008:

    What a lovely little amuse bouche! Watermelon and feta is one of my favorites, and this looks like a great twist. Excellent photos as well.

  7. 7 Elizabeth said at 6:47 pm on July 9th, 2008:

    Amazing presentation! So Professional!

  8. 8 mel said at 7:25 pm on July 9th, 2008:

    Thanks guys!

    :)

  9. 9 Andy Patmore said at 12:36 pm on August 8th, 2008:

    How simple! Great idea!

  10. 10 behnnie said at 9:20 pm on August 8th, 2008:

    This looks/sounds like it would be fantastic at a summer afternoon wedding. Something light, colorful, cool and sweet!

  11. 11 OneShotBeyond said at 9:33 am on August 26th, 2008:

    stunning presentation! I will try this out sometime.

  12. 12 Joan said at 2:42 am on November 21st, 2008:

    Check out these great recipes I found!!!
    http://www.squidoo.com/Best-ever-Recipes

  13. 13 Lisa said at 5:29 pm on May 13th, 2009:

    Wow…I just came across your blog today and I love it. I was looking for empanada recipes and found yours. I love those Goya empanada shells and am always experimenting with the endless filling options. I will make some of your suggestions soon. But my 6 year old future foodie saw this recipe for watermelon, mint and ricotta. We had watermelon and ricotta on hand (ok, it wasn’t ricotta salada…but close enough) and mint in the garden. So she made it for us for dessert. It was beautifully presented in 4 individual bowls with fresh min springs and served on a silver platter. She told me to make sure I bookmarked your site!

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