Description
The combination of cucumber and cantaloupe is crisp, crunchy, and refreshing. Bring them together in a light, floral vinaigrette, fresh herbs, and a salty cheese. Wash it down with a sparkling white Lambrusco.
Ingredients
Scale
Hot + Savory
- 1 whole cantaloupe
- 1 whole English hothouse cucumber
- 0.5 oz arugula
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro ((to be added to vinaigrette))
- a dash of chili flakes and coriander ((to be added to vinaigrette))
- freshly shredded Parmesan cheese ((to taste))
Minty + Fresh
- 1 whole cantaloupe
- 1 whole English hothouse cucumber
- 2 tbsp crumbled Feta
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint ((to be added to vinaigrette))
- a dash of cardamom and coriander ((to be added to vinaigrette))
Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp champagne vinegar ((or any light, white wine vinegar) )
- salt and pepper ((to taste))
Instructions
Salad
- Dice whole cantaloupe into chunks, roughly half an inch thick. Make sure size is consistent.
- Chop cucumber into half inch chunks. Any size or thickness is fine, so long as the melon and the cucumbers are approximately the same size.
Vinaigrette
- Mix champagne vinegar and olive oil with herbs and seasonings. Bada boom bada bing, you have your vinaigrette.
Plating
- For the hot + savory version, put your arugula on the plate as a base.
- Toss cucumber and cantaloupe with vinaigrette to evenly coat. Put on plate.
- Drizzle on any remaining vinaigrette.
- Sprinkle feta or shave Parmesan on top to your hearts desire. Serve!
Notes
This salad is best served C O L D. Don’t refrigerate the cantaloupe whole, but planning ahead to put the chopped chunks of cantaloupe and cucumber in the fridge for an hour before preparing is a good move. Feel free to adjust the ratios of herbs and seasonings to your taste.