I wasn't going to post this recipe, but since it's the end of the summer, it's kind of our last opportunity to get locally grown cantaloupe and cucumbers. So why not stretch out summer a little bit longer and make fruit salad?
I wasn't sure how this recipe would turn out, to be honest. It sounded like a mishmash of flavors and I couldn't imagine how it would taste. Since I have so many Hungarian black peppers and mint leaves to use, I thought I'd take a risk and try it anyway. I'm glad I did—it's so different and it makes a refreshing, light side for a heavier meal. Of course, it helps that I managed to pick out the perfect cantaloupe to use in this—any recipe involving melon is only as good as the fruit you use! Last summer, a vendor at the farmers market taught me how to tell which melons were ripe and which ones weren't and I'm getting good at it now. (The secret, in case you were wondering, is not thumping the side, but smelling the blossom-end. You might look like a crazy sniffing all the cantaloupes at the supermarket, but it works. Really!)
![Spicy Cantaloupe Cucumber Salad [close]](https://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/spicy_cantaloupe_cucumber_salad_close.jpg)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp minced peeled fresh ginger
- 1 small red or green jalapeno halved lengthwise, seeded and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup torn fresh mint leaves
- 1 English cucumber halved and thinly sliced
- ½ cantaloupe peeled, seeded, flesh thinly sliced
Instructions
- Whisk together soy sauce, lime juice, and ginger in a small bowl.
- In a large bowl, combine jalapeno, mint leaves, cucumber, and cantaloupe. Add dressing and stir to coat.
BKWilliams says
Never would have thought of this combination. Sounds really good.
The Type A Housewife says
Me neither--and the original recipe called for fish sauce which, IMO, would have been even stranger. But it tastes good and that's what matters!
Kelly says
That sounds so unique and tasty! The picture is gorgeous and so fresh and summery!
The Type A Housewife says
Thanks! I've been making lots of fruit salads with watermelon and cantaloupe lately because this is the tail-end of availability for the local ones. I'm going to miss summer!
Janel says
looks so refreshing! I have melon, need to get cukes!
Kiersten says
It is! We love having it on a hot day. And it's nice not to have to make a side that needs to be cooked too.
Sharon says
I made this salad to bring to friends while staying in Mexico...it was a hit...everyone was quite surprised with the mixture. It was refreshing given the hot climate in Merida Mexico. Thanks! I’ll be making this again!