Name: Natasha Naidoo
Class Year: 2012
Country of Residence: Netherlands
Why is this recipe great? What’s its backstory?
Since graduating from Mount Holyoke I’ve had the great privilege of living all over the world—Kenya, Thailand, the UK, California, and now the Netherlands. One of the things that makes warm weather officially feel like summer is this watermelon salad. No matter where I am on the planet, when I bite into that sweet, tart, watermelon with just a hint of cheese to round it off, I know that summer is here. Perfect for a languishing pick-nick in the sun, a quick evening meal, or a refreshing post-workout treat, this salad gently whispers ‘home is where the heart is, and right now your heart is loving this tricolour delight!’
In addition to being tasty, this salad is incredibly simple, flexible to modifications, and made from ingredients that can be sourced all over the world. Be it substituting the watermelon for cantaloupe and feta for goat cheese while nibbling away in Chiang Mai, or using mint to cool down the hottest days in Amsterdam, this salad is an easy go-to when you want something seasonal for summer.
Watermelon salad
Serves 4-6. Takes approx. 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 small watermelon (makes approximately 3 cups cubed)
- 5-10 basil leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste (approximately ¼ teaspoon each)
- 100 g feta
Instructions:
Chill watermelon in fridge for a couple of hours before getting ready to cut. This will make it more firm and juicy when serving the final product. I find it is best to make the salad 5-10 mins before you serve it or put it out for a 4th of July buffet.
1-Cube watermelon into bite-sized-pieces that are on the smaller side of bite-sized
2-Cube feta into pieces that are about ½ the size of the watermelon bites
3-Either coarsely chop basil or leave as leaves if small
4-Put watermelon into a bowl and sprinkle a little salt on top, mix in feta and basil, then top with pepper.
5-Serve.
Optional—If making a 4th-of-July themed salad, add a handful of blueberries or blackberries to the assembly at the end.
Source:
Family recipe.