Melon Salad with Mint elevates traditional fruit salad with a gourmet spin. Perfect for entertaining or when you just want something different!
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This recipe is awesome any time of year, but it’s especially great in the summertime when fresh melon is in season. It’s loved by adults and kids alike.
How to make Melon Salad with Mint
It doesn’t get much easier than this recipe! The most time-intensive aspect is the time it takes to ball the melons. But once that’s done, you can toss it all together in less than five minutes.
The mint dressing is what makes this salad stand out. It’s a simple mixture of fresh mint, sugar, lime juice and water. Fresh mint is crucial to the dressing – dried mint will alter the taste and the texture.
Since mint is usually one of the more expensive fresh herbs, you can make a few extra batches of this dressing and freeze for use in future salads. Or, freeze the mixture in ice cube trays and add to a glass of water or other drink for a special treat.
Tips for choosing perfect melons
This salad relies on ripe, delicious melon – specifically cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon.
Choosing a perfect melon from the grocery store isn’t always easy though. Follow these tips to help increase your chances of success.
- Make sure the melon doesn’t have any soft spots, cracks, bruises or other defects.
- The outside of ripe honeydews and melon will be dull. Avoid ones that are shiny as those are underripe. Cantaloupes should have a gold or orange color instead of a green or white color.
- Pick melons that are heavy for their size.
- When selecting a watermelon, give it a thump with your hand and choose one that sounds hollow.
- For cantaloupes and honeydews, sniff the spot where the melon was attached to the vine and select ones that smell fresh and somewhat sweet.
Do I have to make this salad in advance?
I definitely recommend that you make this salad ahead of time and let the flavors mature for at least 3 to 4 hours before serving. However, if you are really pressed for time, you can serve immediately after tossing it all together.
Melon Salad with Mint
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh mint chopped
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1 large Lime juiced and zested
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1 Cantaloupe
- 1 Honeydew melon
- 1/2 Watermelon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mint, sugar, lime zest, lime juice and water.
- Cut melons into cubes or into balls with a melon baller. Add to the bowl and toss to combine well.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 3-4 hours to allow the flavors to combine.
Notes
- Only use fresh mint. Dried mint will alter the taste and texture.
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