Is watermelon a fruit or vegetable? Basically, it’s a fruit and a vegetable. It’s complicated! Should we call it a fruveggie?
One thing I do know is that watermelon is my all-time favorite summer fruit/vegetable. There’s nothing like an ice-cold watermelon on a hot, summer day.
Not only is watermelon delicious, it’s good for us! One cup has only 46 calories so going back for more is a no-brainer. According to the USDA, watermelon offers 20 percent of our daily intake of vitamin C and 17 percent vitamin A. Watermelon also contains dietary fiber for digestive health as well as potassium, a mineral that helps keep blood pressure capped.
There are several US towns that claim to be the watermelon capital of the world! It just so happens that I’ve been fortunate to live near two of them. I grew up near Cordele, GA and I have to say that the watermelon farmers know how to grow delicious melons. There’s a yearly watermelon festival with a watermelon queen, parade, and the works!
I now live near Pageland, SC. They also lay claim to the watermelon capital, including the parade, queen, and all that jazz.
I believe that both towns have legit bragging rights and I’m a happy camper, knowing that watermelon season is upon us.
The seedless variety is my favorite because I swallowed enough seeds when I was growing up. The tall tale of a watermelon vine growing inside never materialized but left me sufficiently traumatized for life. 🙂
I usually eat chilled watermelon straight up, but lately I’ve been mixing things up and I’m really liking my Orzo Salad with Watermelon and Feta. It’s a cold salad and the orzo & lime-shallot vinaigrette needs to be made ahead of time and chilled overnight or for several hours.
After chilling, toss lightly with arugula & spinach mix, watermelon and feta. Serve with the remaining vinaigrette.
Helpful Hint: You can always replace the lime with lemon in the vinaigrette. I just prefer the lime.
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 3 cups seeded and diced watermelon
- 1/2 cup lime-shallot vinaigrette
- 4 cups baby arugula & spinach mix
- 4 oz. crumbled feta cheese
- Lime-Shallot Vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions.
- Toss together hot pasta and 1/2 cup lime-shallot vinaigrette in a large bowl.
- Cover and chill pasta mixture overnight (or at least 3 hours).
- Just before serving, gently toss watermelon, arugula/spinach mix and feta cheese with the pasta mixture.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette Instructions
- Stir together lime juice and minced shallot. Let stand for 5 minutes.
- Whisk in honey, Dijon mustard and olive oil.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container up to a week.
What’s your favorite chilled salad?
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I just tried feta and watermelon recently actually and I loved it. I never thought those two things would compliment each other, but they totally do!
We came to a party and someone brought this salad (very similar with this recipe) and I absolutely loved it and wondered how my friend did it. So, thank you so much for this.
This looks so yummy! I could easily see this on a summer buffet table along with a barbecued main course. I love the colours too – looks amazing!
That looks so good. I have been wanting to try the combination of feta and watermelon.
We just ate through our first watermelon of the season…it was wonderful! Now I know what to do with our second watermelon! Your recipe looks delicious.
Yum, I love simple, tasty salads with fresh fruit. Orzo sounds perfect with the watermelon and vinaigrette.
Why do I never pick up Orzo pasta in the supermarket? It’s probably one of my favourite pastas (or is it a grain?). The salad you made looks SO GOOD.
I’ve made salads before with feta and watermelon…such a strange combo but they work so well together (the flavour combo does take some getting used it!)
I love the idea of fruit with the pasta instead of veggies! What a great way to lighten up the pasta! I also like that you use the leftover cubes for appetizers. Both are gorgeous and wouldn’t last long in my presence!
Omg this sounds absolutely delicious! I just bought some watermelon today while I was shopping! Might have to give this a try.
I love that Watermelons are finally in season again!! This salad looks and sounds amazing!
So happy to see a recipe with watermelon. It’s one of my favorite foods, but I don’t have a lot of recipes that use it. Great summer dish!
This is a very interesting combination! Perfect for summer! I’m gonna try this one, thank you!
This salad is so refreshing. I love adding watermelons in my salads as they add that crunch and sweet a salad needs in the summer
I love watermelon. Just plain, I also like it in a mix of canteloupe and other fresh fruit. No better way to get hydrated on a hot summer day. What you made looks really good.
I like this recipe! Watermelons are available in plenty here and I’m always looking to use them in dishes. I’m going to try making this salad.
This salad looks and sounds so summery. I’d have never have thought of putting watermelon and cheese together in a dish, I must try it.
Looks delicious. Glad you shared at #HomeMattersParty
Yummy! I love a little bit of watermelon, but I’ve never tried it with feta… thanks for inspiring me to try a new snack! 🙂