Watermelon Mediterranean Salad

I have not lost my mind, a Watermelon Mediterranean Salad is the perfect way to enjoy this luscious summer fruit. Consider it a yin and yang moment for your taste buds. The sweetness of the watermelon pitted against the brine of the olives, creamy feta (vegan of course) and fresh yet salty sumac just can’t be beat. If you are looking for a new way to enjoy watermelon or have plans for a summer gathering this salad is the ultimate addition.

But olives with watermelon? Yes, olives with watermelon! Kalamata olives work best but any black olive will also work. I haven’t attempted with green olives yet, but in theory they should also work. Do you know the difference between black versus green olives? While there are different varieties, they are essentially the same thing. Green olives are harvested before they have ripened, while black olives have been harvested once ripe. From that point there are different ways in which they are packed and preserved which can alter the taste, but black olives tend to be less bitter and salty then their green counterparts. If you opt for green olives in this recipe you may want to use less sumac to keep the salt levels in line.

So sumac, is this another spice I have to buy for a recipe that I’ll never use again? I hope not! I think once you try it you will absolutely fall in love with it and sprinkle it on all types of things. Especially in this Watermelon Mediterranean Salad. Sumac has a a citrusy tartness that makes food pop. Traditionally it is used in Middle Eastern cooking but it really needs to be a staple in every kitchen in my opinion. Many traditional grocery stores do not carry it or if they do it is tucked in the international foods sections. Like all things these days, I order it from Amazon (sigh…why did I not buy stock years ago?) but I’ve also seen it at specialty grocery stores. You are going to love it!

Here are a few other ideas for a not so ordinary salad…

Watermelon Salad Bruschetta

Roasted Grape Salad

Carrot Salad with Sesame Miso Vinaigrette

Zucchini Ricotta Salad

Print Recipe

Watermelon Mediterranean Salad

Add some pizazz to your watermelon & make this Watermelon Mediterranean Salad! Quick, easy & perfect for summer eating!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish

Keyword: vegan, vegetarian, watermelon

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1/2 large watermelon (or 1 personal watermelon)
• 1 – 1 1/2 cups kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (sub shallot)
• 1/2 cup crumbled vegan feta cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 1/4 cup microgreens optional
• drizzle olive oil
• sprinkle sumac

Instructions

• Carefully slice your watermelon into desired shapes & sizes, removing the rind & seeds.
• In a large bowl add the watermelon, olives, red onion, dill, & microgreens. Give it a toss to combine.
• Plate the salad & top with the crumbled feta. Drizzle with a little olive oil & sprinkle with a healthy amount of sumac.

Notes

Watermelon:  Choose your watermelon based on what you have available to you.  This recipe used 1/2 a large watermelon but a personal sized watermelon works too.  Carefully slice into your desired shapes.  I did these triangles, because they looked pretty but simple cubes do the trick.  If cutting into triangles toss the salad gently when combining so as to not damage the triangle shape.

Vegan feta:  Violife makes a fantastic vegan feta.  For presentation purposes it looks better to crumble on top once you have plated.  However, you can toss with the other salad ingredients, it will mash up more & give a white coat to the watermelon.  Still tastes great, just a matter of looks.

Sumac:  Do you need it?  I’m telling you it makes this dish pop! Sumac has a salty lemon flavor & that really brings out the sweetness of the watermelon while freshening the briny taste of the olives.

Leftovers:  Save any leftovers in an air-tight container for 1-2 days.  Give it a refresh by adding your favorite greens the next day.

Enjoy!