Summer Watermelon Recipes

Three cheers for watermelon!   This sweet, crunchy fruit reaches its peak in the summer—making it perfect for a picnic or BBQ—it’s colorful, refreshing & packed with vitamin C!  It can be used in a variety of dishes (or simply sliced on a platter)!  Our gang here Marcia Selden Catering shares three watermelon recipes that will dazzle and can easily be made ahead.  Pro tip: Tap on the shell of a seedless watermelon when shopping-if you hear a hollow sound it’s ripe and ready to eat! Enjoy these delicious recipes for: Watermelon Panzanella Salad, Tomato, Grilled Corn, Avocado & Watermelon Salad & Thai Watermelon Ceviche.

Watermelon Panzanella Salad

This flavorful salad doubles as a salsa and is great served over grilled fish or chicken if you eliminate the croutons.

Ingredients 

2 Tbs. chopped fresh mint

3 Tbs. torn basil leaves

1 t. chopped fresh oregano

¼ C. extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp. Kosher salt

Zest and juice from 1 lemon

½ C. pitted Kalamata olives

½ C. finely sliced purple onion

1 C. crumbled feta cheese

4 C. diced watermelon

Toasted French baguette croutons

Combine herbs with olive oil, salt, zest and lemon juice, olives and onion 

in a large bowl and toss to combine.  Pour over watermelon and gently stir in feta.  

Toss with toasted croutons before serving.

Tomato, Grilled Corn, Avocado & Watermelon Salad

All of the best parts of summer are combined into this bright, crunchy salad!  

Ingredients

2 C. halved cherry tomatoes

2 C. grilled corn kernels

1 avocado peeled, seeded & cubed

4 C. cubed watermelon

¼ C. olive oil

Juice from 2 limes

Pinch of Kosher salt

1 Tbs. cumin

Cayenne pepper (optional)

½ C. Cilantro leaves leaves

Combine halved cherry tomatoes, grilled corn kernels, and watermelon in a large bowl.  Drizzle with olive oil, lime juice, salt, cumin and cilantro leaves.  Gently stir to combine and season to taste with salt & cayenne pepper if desired.  Add avocado before serving. 

Tastes really awesome with the addition of crumbled bacon…Yum!

Thai Watermelon Ceviche

This clean, simple salad will quickly become a summer staple.  It’s also perfect for a dinner party because it needs to be made in advance.  Serve in a martini glass or a Boston lettuce leaf for what may be the best salad you’ll eat all summer!

Ingredients

1 Tbs. lime zest

½ C. lime juice

1 Tbs. grated lemongrass

2 Tbs. grated ginger

¼ C. chopped cilantro leaves

¼ C. Thai fish sauce 

1 diced avocado

1 Tbs. honey

½ C. thinly sliced red onion

1 lb. cooked peeled, cleaned and 

deveined shrimp, cut into pieces

3 C. diced watermelon

½ finely diced jalapeno

Combine first 8 ingredients in a jar and shake well to combine. Combine onion, shrimp and watermelon in a bowl, pour vinaigrette over salad and gently stir to combine.  

Let sit at least 1 hour refrigerated before serving.