Savory Melon Salad with Light Vinaigrette
If there is one thing that’s synonymous with summer in my mind it’s watermelon. Watermelon is one of Texas’s largest annual crops and can be found in Houston markets starting in June. Many other melons are also in season this time of year, so what better way to take advantage of the season than a sweet melon salad, tossing in cucumbers, tomatoes and onion to bring bright acid into the mix. Not only is it super cooling and refreshing, but it is full of necessary minerals and electrolytes to keep your cells happy and hydrated. Not to mention it’s an amazing way to beat the Summer heat.
With such a simple recipe, you can really appreciate the taste of each ingredient. Here’s a quick highlight of the star ingredients and what they bring to this recipe.
Watermelon: Juicy and hydrating, watermelon serves as the base of this salad, bringing a delightful sweetness and a splash of color.
Cantaloupe: With its distinct aroma and luscious orange flesh, cantaloupe adds a honeyed sweetness and creamy texture to the mix.
Cucumber: Cool and crisp, cucumber provides a refreshing contrast to the melons, adding a satisfying crunch.
Red Onion: chopped red onion adds a hint of sharpness.
Cherry Tomatoes: Bursting with flavor and color, cherry tomatoes add a tangy and juicy element to the salad, enhancing its savory profile.
Here’s a rundown of the lovely vendors you can source from to create this recipe!
Wood Duck is an 87-acre farm, located in Cleveland, Texas. They have a thriving CSA program and have been providing healthy produce to the community for years. Wood Duck is actually in the process of fighting a proposed landfill in San Jacinto County, visit this website to learn more about how you can help!
Plant it Forward works with independent, professional farmers with refugee backgrounds to grow and distribute fresh produce throughout the community. At our market locations, we work with farmer Materanya “Pierre” Ruchinagiza, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each market he brings delicious vegetables and good conversation. He’s an amazing asset to the markets and his farming knowledge is invaluable!
Animal Farm is a working, sustainable permaculture center located 65 miles west of Houston. They are dedicated to producing high-quality certified organic vegetables and flowers. They sell at our markets, but also have a wonderful CSA program!
Verde Greens located in Houston, Texas, uses a combination of hydroponic and no-till soil cultivation methods to produce healthy, nutritious, pesticide- and herbicide-free leafy greens, herbs, and mixed vegetables for the community.
Sweetwater Farms HTX is a family-owned, urban farm located in Houston, Texas. They are 7 minutes from the loop in the middle of a food desert. It sits on 6 acres of land and is primarily used to teach inner city youth about agriculture through its partnership with TWEF. We grow some of the freshest seasonal veggies! Farm visits are reservation are only!
Synergos is a thriving healthy farm community, synergistically growing food, allowing all things to grow naturally. Located in Santa Fe, Texas, Synergos focuses on regenerative practices that support healthy soil, plants, and animals.
Ma-Mere’s Maison offers high quality jellies that span a huge variety of flavors, from mustang grape to kiwi. Also a farm, Ma-mere’s maison has brings eggs to market from their pasture raised chickens. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to snag fresh watermelon in the summer months!
1836 Olive Oil grows, harvests, mills, and bottles Texas-grown olives into exceptional olive oils. Owner Kerry Thornhill started the orchard in 2012 with a desire to pay homage to her maternal grandparents. She believes in the Texas olive industry, and in supporting local agriculture and women farmers everywhere.
Old Country Olive Oil is owned by native Houstonian, Rita Joubran. Having been raised around her family’s olive trees and their products in Lebanon, Rita realized that she wanted to share the high-quality oil with her Houston community. She also sells delicious spices such as sumac and a wonderful olive oil soap.
Share the love! Don’t forget to share photos and tag the vendors who provided the ingredients! One of the best ways to support these local, small businesses is by spreading the word and sharing your market finds with friends and family. And of course, if you stop by the Rice Village or Heights Mercantile markets striking up conversations with the vendors will always have you walking away with wonderful recipe ideas.
Ingredients - * indicates item purchased at the farmers market
Makes 4 servings
*2 cups watermelon, cubed
*2 cups cantaloupe, cubed
*3/4 cup red onion, chopped
*1 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
*1 1/2 cup cucumber, chopped (thinly sliced if you have a mandolin)
Juice of 1 lime
*4 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. champagne vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional - Goat cheese
Method
Roughly chop your red onion and place in a bowl. Lightly coat the onion with vinegar and let sit for 15 minutes. This will macerate the onion, removing a lot of the harsh after taste
Chopped your melon, cucumber, tomatoes, and cucumber and mix together in a bowl
Combine your vinegar and olive oil in a small bowl and whisk to combine
Add the macerated onion to the bowl with the melons
Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss it all together
Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, if you are using goat cheese garnish with this as well
We hope to see you at the 1st & 3rd Sunday at Rice Village Farmers Market or 2nd & 4th Sunday at Heights Mercantile Farmers Market. Both markets run from 9-1 pm, with Heights located at 714 Yale St. and Rice located at 2504 Amherst St. These markets operate rain or shine! We will have over 60 vendors, live music, and immaculate vibes.
Thank you for following along and supporting local!
xxCB