I have a confession — I was not a fan of watermelon & feta salad for the longest time. I wasn’t even really a fan of watermelon with anything other than itself. Why, I thought, would you ever eat watermelon in any kind of way other than straight out of that striped rind with a spoon, ice cold and crisp and sugary sweet? (B2 says, “Really, with a spoon?” OK, or in slices, if you’re not weird like me.)
The answer, as I’ve now discovered, is this salad. As it turns out, if you take sweet corn (another one of summer’s crown jewels) and quickly pan-sear it in a cast-iron skillet until smoky, toss that with briny feta, some thinly sliced onion, peppery basil, and a tangy balsamic syrup, watermelon is that unexpected but perfect source of levity that ties all of it together into a salad that is by turns savory and sweet, creamy and tangy, fresh and smoky all at once. I made just enough for a reasonable portion for both of us, and before I was done with my bowl I was back in the kitchen using up all the rest of the ingredients for a totally gargantuan portion, instead. And we finished it all right there. Most of the time I’m afraid to implore you to make anything on this blog — because who knows if what I like will be what you do! — but I think you’ll love this salad if you try it. You can find the recipe over at Simon SAID!
P.S. In case you’re not melon’ed out by now, there’s still one more day to enter this giveaway for a Cuisinart Fruit Scoop and ice cream maker! Happy Wednesday, friends!
Mindy
I love your blog. Not a big fan of corn off the cob but I’ll guve it a try. Ha And you might want to try this recipe, my favorite watermelon salad with feta, mint and red onion. I drizzle with olive oil and either balsamic or champagne vinegar and sprinkle with salt and pepper. It is yummy! Perfect with anything grilled on the BBQ.
tworedbowls
That sounds so good! Thanks so much for the suggestion and the kind words, Mindy!
Lisa Bryan | Downshiftology
I’m a huge fan of watermelon + feta salads…but wow girl, you really took it up a notch! I can smell the smokey, savory, sweet flavors melding beautfiully together…all the way over here. Yum! 🙂 x
tworedbowls
Thank you so much, Lisa!!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
This sounds like heaven!
tworedbowls
It definitely exceeded all my expectations 🙂 thanks so much, Erin!
Gerlinde de Broekert
I love the combination of seared corn , feta and watermelon . I’m making this salad soon, I have a great bottle of balsamic syrup from Italy . Thanks!
tworedbowls
Ooh, I love the sound of that balsamic syrup! Thank you for stopping by, Gerlinde 🙂
Considering The Radish
Oh my God. I’ve always been skeptical of watermelon salads (because what could be better than watermelon straight?) but you’ve convinced me. I don’t see any way this could be anything less than amazing.
tworedbowls
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who felt that way about watermelon! Thanks so much for the kind words, Allyson 🙂
Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land
SO DELISH! Hehe I love that you eat watermelon with a spoon. I have done that too of course. The balsamic glaze!! Looks so good! XO
tworedbowls
Wahaha yay for our spoon-eating ways! I think it was my mom’s improvised way of melon balling… Or melon-somewhat-round-sometimes-ing.
Em
Ah, I AM a fan of watermelon and feta salads, but I’m an even bigger fan of grilled corn!! so this is pretty much my summer everything. good finking, girl!
tworedbowls
This is just how I felt! All my favorite summer everythings — what could go wrong? (Maybe let’s not add ice cream.) Thanks, Em 🙂
Jessica
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Jessica
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