Simply Easy Spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad

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Watermelon and feta may sound like an unusual combination, but trust us, it’s a match made in heaven. Add some spicy balsamic vinegar and you have our mouthwatering Spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad.

 

I love watermelons.  They are so refreshing and hydrating.  And they have the perfect amount of sweetness.  When I saw these baby watermelons at the local farm market, I couldn’t resist grabbing one.

 

But not just to nibble on.  You see, I had this container of feta that needed to be used up.  So, I married the two in this refreshing summer salad.  After hitting the market, we went to our favorite olive oil and vinegar shop.  Manassas Olive Oil has not only infused oils and vinegars, but they also support local farms and crafts producers.

 

 

The Power of a Farmers’ Market for In-Season Produce

 

There’s a certain magic in strolling through a bustling farmers’ market.  There are stalls overflowing with vibrant fruits and vegetables freshly harvested from nearby fields. Shopping local isn’t just a feel-good ritual.  It is also a gateway to the most flavorful and nutrient-rich produce available.

 

In-season ingredients, harvested at their peak, deliver a taste that simply cannot be rivaled.  Grocery store produce doesn’t even come close to the intense flavors of locally grown and harvested produce.  Sometimes you can find produce you can’t get in the stores.  Seven different colors of bell peppers, tomatoes in every shade, shape, and size.  When you build your recipes around what’s local and fresh, every bite has such intense flavor.  Supporting local producers also helps sustain small farms.  It fosters relationships built on trust and quality.  This is a win win for your palate and your family.

 

 

Local ingredients taste better because they’re allowed to fully ripen before harvesting.  Since it doesn’t have to travel as far, it doesn’t need to be picked before it’s ripe.  This means the fruits and vegetables reach your table full of intense aromas and flavors.  And in the most vibrant colors.

 

What is Balsamic Vinegar?

 

Balsamic vinegar originated from the Modena and Reggio Emilia regions. It’s made from freshly crushed grape juice (called must) that is aged in wooden barrels for several years.  This develops a complex flavor that’s sweet, tangy, and deeply aromatic. Traditional balsamic vinegar is aged to an almost syrupy consistency.  It is prized for its ability to elevate both savory and sweet dishes.  However, those aged balsamic vinegars are quite pricey. 

 

 

The balsamic vinegar you get in your grocery store probably consists of white wine vinegar and the grape must used in traditional balsamic vinegar.  They’re quite tasty and there’s a variety of ages to choose from.  For this recipe, however, I opted for something a little thicker.  I selected a balsamic glaze.  It has the syrupy thickness to coat the watermelon and feta.  And it has a slightly sweet and sour flavor to it.

 

Balsamic Vinegar vs Balsamic Glaze

 

While balsamic vinegar is naturally tangy-sweet and fluid, balsamic glaze is a thick, concentrated reduction.  You can make a balsamic glaze by simmering balsamic vinegar until it reaches a syrupy texture. Some add some sugar to the vinegar to achieve a sweeter glaze.  Balsamic glaze is perfect for drizzling over salads, grilled vegetables, or even desserts.  Just imagine a drizzle of balsamic glaze over your summer strawberry shortcake!

 

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How Do You Infuse Vinegar with Serrano Chile Flavor?

 

If you don’t have a Manassas Olive Oil store near you, then you can make an infused balsamic vinegar.  Simply select a good-quality dark balsamic vinegar, slice a fresh serrano pepper, and add it to the bottle or a clean jar. Allow the mixture to steep for at least one week in a cool, dark place. The longer you let it infuse, the spicier it will become. Strain out the chile when it’s hot enough for you. 

 

What is Feta Cheese?

 

Feta cheese is traditionally made from sheep’s milk (or a mixture with goat’s milk). It comes from Greece and has a creamy but tangy flavor profile.  It adds a distinctive saltiness and richness to everything from salads to baked dishes. Its pleasantly sharp bite pairs beautifully with sweet fruit and bold dressings.

 

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Ingredients to Make This Spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad

 

Refrigerator ingredients – watermelon, feta cheese, basil, mint

Pantry ingredients – serrano balsamic vinegar, balsamic glaze, red onion

 

Instructions to make this Watermelon Salad

 

Cut the watermelon in half.  Mine was about the size of a volleyball.  Slice one half of the melon into one-inch slices and cut the rind off.  Cut the watermelon into one-inch cubes and place them in a medium mixing bowl.  Place the bowl in the refrigerator.

 

Thinly slice the red onion and place the slices in a bowl of cold water.  Let them sit for at least 30 minutes.  This can help reduce the pungency of the onions, making them milder and crisper.  Drain the onions and add them to the watermelon. 

 

Stir in the balsamic glaze and the serrano balsamic vinegar.  Add the mint and basil and stir again.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Crumble the feta and stir it into the salad just before serving.

 

 

Adding a Twist with Infused Balsamic Vinegar

 

The star of this salad is the serrano-infused balsamic vinegar.  It brings a subtle, lingering heat that accentuates the sweetness of the watermelon and the creaminess of the feta.  With everyone obsessed with the hot honey, I wanted to take the sweet heat down a different path.  However, if you have hot honey feel free to use that instead. 

 

If you want to go down a different path that’s not spicy, try a Neapolitan herb infused vinegar.  It has rosemary, marjoram, thyme, garlic, and sage.  Or how about bourbon maple, black truffle or garlic.  They have a delicious Sicilian lemon white balsamic that would go well with this watermelon salad, too..

 

 

What does this spicy watermelon and feta salad taste like?

 

This salad is super easy to make.  The longest is waiting for the onions to soak, but if you like the spiciness of the red onion then feel free to skip that step.  Me and onions don’t get along very well so I waited.  You can easily substitute the red onion for a sweet onion like Vidalia or Maui if you’d like instead.

 

You can make this spicy watermelon and feta salad a day or two ahead of time and just add the feta when you’re ready to serve it.  I wouldn’t put the feta cheese in too early because it will lose some of its brininess.  It will absorb the dressing and taste like the balsamic instead of the creamy and salty cheese it is. 

 

The contrasting flavors of the sweet and juicy watermelon and the salty feta make this salad and instant hit at any party.  Then you add in the sweet and tart balsamic glaze and the spicy kick from the serrano balsamic and your mouth is just full of complex and delicious flavors.  Finally, the vibrant flavors of mint and basil round out this absolutely wonderful summer salad.  Your backyard parties will not be the same without it.

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