This Watermelon Salad is a plateful of summer, for me. Summer may be slipping by but you would never know it from the garden. Or from the endless hot days we are having. The end of August means the end of summer for a lot of people. School is back in session, vacation is over, and it's time to get back into routines. But the garden is flourishing, and summer produce is at it's peak. It's still warm enough to keep grilling, and salads are the best accompaniment. For me, the month of September is the best month of summer.
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I don't have watermelon in the garden, (although I have been carefully nurturing a cantaloupe vine). But cucumbers, jalapeno peppers, and basil are growing like crazy. The cooler nights of late summer seem to make the garden happy, and everything is ripening at once.
Watermelon: It Isn't a Fruit
Watermelon is the ultimate summer refreshment. Did you know that watermelon is not a fruit, but actually a vegetable? It's a relative of pumpkins, cucumbers, and squash. And you may be happy to know, that seedless watermelons are not genetically modified. The seedless watermelon was first created over 50 years ago by crossing watermelons with different chromosomes to create a sterile watermelon. Those are just a couple, but here are more fun facts about watermelon.
The Best Salads Have All The Flavour Elements
The best salads have a good balance of flavour elements, as well as freshness and crunch. This watermelon salad, featuring sweet watermelon is perfect when paired with smoky bacon, spicy jalapeno, Â and crunchy cucumber. And the freshness of basil and salty Parmesan. A simple dressing, just a tiny splash of olive oil and a squeeze of lime completes this flavour fiesta.
Fruit is always a great ingredient for balancing the flavour elements in a salad. Fresh fruit is always delicious, like in Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad With Apples, or Tomato Peach Salad, or Salmon, Spinach Mandarin Orange Salad. But don't forget about dried fruit! Two tasty examples: Fig Salad with Prosciutto and Arugula, or Buckwheat Salad with California Prunes.
This Watermelon Salad Can Be Spicy Or Not
Jalapeno peppers are among the milder peppers, as far as heat goes. In my family, we all love lots of spice and have pretty high heat tolerance levels. So I sometimes forget, when cooking for others, that not everyone has that same tolerance for spicy food. If you don't like spice, this salad will still be delicious without the peppers. You can also cut it down using only one pepper, and removing the seeds and core will reduce the heat as well.
Looking for even more salad freshness? Try Avocado Shrimp Salad, Strawberry Caprese Salad, or Beet Salad with Grapefruit, Blue Cheese & Walnuts.
Recipe
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Watermelon Salad with Jalapeno and Bacon
Ingredients
- 3 strips bacon sliced in half lengthwise and then into ½ inch pieces
- 2 cups watermelon flesh cut into 2" cubes or scooped into balls
- 1 cup English cucumber slices
- 2 large jalapeno peppers sliced into rings
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves chopped
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- juice of one lime
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium-high, cook bacon pieces until just crisp.
- Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and allow to cool
- In a bowl, gently toss together all remaining ingredients
- Add bacon and toss again to combine.
- Serve immediately
Gabby
I LOVE watermelon and spicyness together what a great summer combination! And then you go and add bacon and make it even better. I need to serve this before summer is over, thanks for this recipe!
Colleen
Gabby, you are so welcome! Bacon makes everything better, doesn't it? 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I absolutely love sweet/spicy/savoury combos so this salad is definitely calling my name and so perfect for a warm day!
Colleen
Dawn, I couldn't agree more! Still making the most of the warm days 🙂
Kaitie
This looks refreshing & delicious!! A perfect lunch 🙂 my family would love this!
Colleen
Hi Katie, it is refreshing and yummy. I hope you try it!
Ayngelina Brogan
I've had a lot of watermelon salad but never with bacon, why didn't I think of that??
Colleen
Ayngelina, I know, right? You are the *bacon*is magic!! 🙂
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
I really thought the seedless watermelons were genetically modified...good to know! This salad is so pretty and packs a lot of flavors! I'm sure that bit of heat just enhances the freshness of the dish.
Colleen
Thanks Nicoletta! I was happy to know that too!
Ben Myhre
What a unique and interesting recipe. Also, the watermelon facts are pretty dang cool. Great post and I might have to try this!
Colleen
Hi Ben! Thanks, I hope you do try it! It's delicious, and it's really a simple recipe. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂