It’s still summer for a few more weeks and I plan to enjoy every minute of it with fresh, summery ingredients! Watermelon is one of my favorite summer foods - it is so juicy, thirst-quenching, and just the right amount of sweet! In my opinion, there is no better summer dessert than cooled freshly cut watermelon slices. This salad is another one of my all-time favorite watermelon recipes. It makes for a delicious and quick summer lunch, or serve it as a starter at a summer BBQ or dinner. The flavor contrast between the peppery arugula, the sweetness from the watermelon and almonds, and the salty feta and prosciutto makes for a party for your taste buds :)
Ingredients
(serves 4-6)
5-6 ounces arugula
2 cups of watermelon cut into 1 inch cubes
⅓ cup of crumbled feta cheese
3 tablespoons almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
½ cup loosely packed mint leaves, roughly chopped
3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
For the dressing:
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Juice from ½ a lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Assemble salad ingredients in a large bowl.
Whisk together dressing ingredients. Add to salad, toss, and serve.
Note: Another tasty alternative to making the dressing is just simply drizzling some olive oil and a balsamic glaze on top, with some Maldon sea salt.
Health Benefits of Watermelon
It is low in natural sugars and calories, but rich in minerals and vitamins
1 cup of watermelon contains 21% of your daily value of Vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and is a powerful antioxidant
The majority of this fruit is made up of water (about 90%), which helps your body stay hydrated and helps it in the detoxification process
Watermelon contains nitric acid, which can enhance blood flow and oxygen absorption, enhancing your athletic performance
Watermelon, like tomatoes, is high in the antioxidant lycopene, which benefits heart health by improving blood lipid levels and reducing overall inflammation
Sources and Additional Reading
