Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe | I Can Cook That (2024)

East Passyunk Avenue is hosting “Flavors of the Avenue” this Saturday, an event where 25 restaurants will be handing out samples from their menus. I was given the opportunity to go to a media tasting for this event a few weeks back and have been unable to think about anything else since! I am SO excited for this event!

I must not be alone, pre-sale tickets are completely sold out, although some limited tickets will be available at the entrance to the tent on Saturday. During the media tasting, I was able to sample food from 7 of the participating restaurants.

We started off at Noir, where we were able to taste their Arancini (risotto balls with meat and cheese) and Watermelon & Feta Salad, along with some co*cktails and some really yummy mussels.

I wanted to try to do my own simple version of this tasty salad, with a balsamic reduction, which I have below. But first, more photos from the event!

Next up was Will BYOB, which gave us a sample of the best Gazpacho I’ve ever had. I dream about this gazpacho. The spring green gazpacho was served with grapes, almonds and verjus. Absolutely amazing!

We stopped in to Le Virtu next, which let us sample their Porchetta, or Roasted Berks County Pork Shoulder. The Porchetta was delicious, I especially loved the skin.

We then headed to Fuel for hummus, salmon canape, and mozzarella skewers. Fuel has posts all around the city so be sure to check them out.

Ristorante Tre Scalini served me my first taste of Tripe! Very exciting. Their version, Trippa in Umido, is served with stewed tomatoes and onions.

Ms. Goody Cupcake was the next stop where we were offered two cupcakes: Take Me Out to the Ball Park and Revenge of the Nerds. I swear the Take Me Out to the Ball Park cupcake (chocolate, beer, peanut butter core, salted peanuts) was baked specifically with me in mind. My goodness I loved this cupcake. The Revenge of the Nerds cupcake (Tropical cake with tropical buttercream, coated in Nerds candy) was equally delicious. Ms. Goody knows her cupcakes!

Last stop was Stogie Joe’s for a meatball sandwich. What an awesome way to end the night, with some seriously tasty comfort food. Despite being terribly full, I couldn’t stop eating this!

So on to the Watermelon & Feta Salad. This recipe is super simple but is beautiful enough to take center stage at a picnic or barbecue.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cubed watermelon
  • 2 oz feta (I prefer French feta, in brine)
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar

Add the balsamic vinegar to a saute pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil over medium heat (this might take a while). When it begins to boil, lower the heat so that the vinegar is just simmering. Cook until the liquid reduces by more than half, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. It will turn into a thick syrup, the consistency of chocolate syrup.

Add the watermelon to a bowl. Crumble the feta and mix in with the watermelon. Drizzle with the balsamic reduction and serve.

I personally prefer French feta for this recipe. French feta is mild and creamy, with a little bit of a tangy taste to it which works nicely with the sweetness of the watermelon and the acidity of the balsamic vinegar.

Excuse the individual serving photos. I bought those spoons a while back and have yet to find a use for them. It makes for a good photo though, no? 🙂

If you do not have a chance to go to the Flavors of the Avenue this weekend, be sure to make an effort to check out one or all of the participating restaurants. East Passyunk’s food offerings are truly amazing, it’s a block of some of the best food in the city!

Other restaurants participating include: Belle Cakery, Birra, Cantina Los Caballitos, Chiarella’s, Da Vinci, El Zarape, Fond, Ippolito’s, Izumi, Lucky 13, Mamma Maria Ristorante, Marra’s, Noord, Paradiso, Plenty, Sophia’s, South Philly Bar & Grill, and Stateside.

Watermelon Feta Salad

Recipe Type: Salad, Quick, Meatless, Vegetarian, Sides, Main Meal

Author: I Can Cook That

Prep time:

Cook time:

Total time:

Serves: 2

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cubed watermelon
  • 2 oz feta (I prefer French feta, in brine)
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Add the balsamic vinegar to a saute pan over medium heat.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium heat (this might take a while).
  3. When it begins to boil, lower the heat so that the vinegar is just simmering.
  4. Cook until the liquid reduces by more than half, about 20 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and let cool. It will turn into a thick syrup, the consistency of chocolate syrup.
  6. Add the watermelon to a bowl.
  7. Crumble the feta and mix in with the watermelon.
  8. Drizzle with the balsamic reduction and serve.
Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe | I Can Cook That (2024)

FAQs

What pairs well with watermelon salad? ›

Round out your dinner with a lean protein like Chicken Kabobs or Smoked Chicken Breast. Seafood. Balsamic Glazed Salmon or Grilled Swordfish would pair well with watermelon salad too. Burgers.

Why is my Greek salad watery? ›

Cucumbers hold onto a ton of moisture, as do tomatoes. It's best if you make Greek salad fresh to avoid it getting too watery.

Why does watermelon and feta taste good together? ›

Why It Works. Sweet watermelon, salty feta, and mint are a classic pairing. Adding a good dose of chopped lemon zest enhances the aromatic flavors in the watermelon. Crumbling the feta over the top instead of tossing it together with the rest of the salad provides a more interesting finished texture and flavor.

Where did watermelon feta salad come from? ›

Watermelon and feta salad originates from the Mediterranean – Greece, Turkey, and Egypt all stake claim to the origin of this delicious and simple little salad. It's become quite popular in the US over the last decade-ish, but if you haven't ever tried this salad and are thinking “ehhhh…

How to stop Greek salad from going soggy? ›

To prevent your salad from weeping a lot of liquid and becoming wet, use small cherry tomatoes and thin Lebanese cucumbers. If you can't find these and have to use large tomatoes and cucumbers, deseed them first by scooping out the fleshy seeds and then chop them as usual.

Are Greek salads good for weight loss? ›

The combination of fiber-rich vegetables and protein-packed cheese in Greek salad helps control appetite and supports weight loss efforts. Additionally, the monounsaturated fats in olive oil promote a feeling of fullness.

What enhances the taste of watermelon? ›

Salt: Some under-ripe watermelons may be slightly tart or not have much of a taste at all. And, we know that salt balances sweetness. Adding salt can mute any bitter notes and allow the sweet flavors to become more pronounced. A pinch of flaky sea salt or finely ground sea salt works best.

What are the pros and cons of feta cheese? ›

While feta cheese provides you with an excellent source of nutrients like calcium and protein, it also contains high amounts of sodium and saturated fat. Feta is lower in fat than many other cheeses, however, and is considered a reasonable option to eat in moderation.

Why does my feta taste weird? ›

“So if the product starts to smell yeasty, like proofed bread dough, the product has gone bad.” Harsh, unbalanced flavors: Feta should taste like fresh, mildly tangy dairy. If your feta tastes overly piquant, bitter, rancid, or otherwise unbalanced, it's past its prime.

What is the difference between feta and Greek feta? ›

French Feta is made with Lacaune sheep's milk (if you remember, that's the sheep breed used for Roquefort production). It has a softer and creamier texture that Greek Feta and a milder, less tangy flavor (though it's sharper than Israeli Feta).

Is it okay to eat watermelon with cheese? ›

This watermelon salad recipe is one of our favorite summer side dishes! Salty feta cheese, crisp cucumber, and fresh mint accent the sweet, juicy watermelon. Easy and refreshing, it's perfect for a hot day.

What is the green stuff in feta cheese? ›

Additionally, noticeable signs of mold growth, such as dark or green discoloration on the cheese, are clues that something is amiss. Your cheese's texture can also indicate that the feta is no longer good.

What is a good companion for watermelons? ›

Some companion plants for watermelons can reduce pest infestations, like corn, garlic, radishes, broccoli, marigolds, and certain herbs. Lavender and borage can help promote pollination, while pole or bush beans can increase nitrogen in the soil.

What vegetables pair well with watermelon? ›

This summer salad is the perfect combination of flavors. Like my Strawberry Spinach Salad, it shows how delicious fruit can be in a savory salad. Juicy cubed watermelon pairs beautifully with cool cucumbers, fresh herbs, and, of course feta cheese. It's the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

What fruit compliments watermelon? ›

On the other hand, tangier fruits like lime or lemons complement the sweetness of the watermelon. If you're going the citrus route, add herbs such as mint or basil. Finally, frozen strawberries and raspberries make excellent additions to a watermelon smoothie, as they add sweetness and tanginess at the same time.

What is not compatible with watermelon? ›

The best plants to companion with watermelons are herbs, lettuces, marigolds, nasturtiums, and radishes. Avoid planting cucumbers, squash, and potatoes near watermelons to help reduce the risk of pests. Happy Gardening!

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