Sweet & Savory Summer Fruit Salad

Nothing beats juicy ripe fresh summer fruits, like a chilled slice of watermelon on a hot sunny day or savoring a sweet like honey melon on a warm night gazing up at the starry summer sky. It’s one of the many reasons I love summer fruits, not only are they beyond delicious, they’re almost always synonymous with a feeling that only comes around this time of year. 

And yet some times we love these fruits so much as they are, we don’t often realize that these fruits could use a bit of jazzing up. In the case of this ultra-summer vibes salad made with watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple and mangos. It already your quintessential summer blend of fruits, but gets an extra “spicy” kick, literally with freshly squeezed lime juice and jalapeño! Oh yes!! You read that correctly, and you can also stop the second guessing right now. It’s a perfect summer combination. 

Sweet and savory lovers, this fruit salad is for you! 

A few weeks ago as I was prepping out one of my kid’s cooking camp recipes, I sat back and questioned these very flavors. Interesting is all I could imagine, I love all these flavor, but together? Do I really want cilantro with my deeply red-hued watermelon?? Well I was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually liked it, and beyond excited that there was more than enough leftover for me to bring back home. 

The entire month of July I’ve eaten my weight in watermelon, loving every sip and drop, and I’m not done yet! I’m sure like most of you, come sweet sweet summertime, I’m going to eat as much melon as I possible can, and this savory salad just gave me another reason to enjoy it. The refreshing zest and unique hints of cilantro and lime make it a perfect salad topper for greens like arugula and spinach. And if you really want to branch out your salad bubble, why not give purslane greens or even Swiss chard a try! These two have been growing like crazy in my garden so I’ve been eating them a lot. Bitter greens are just begging for sweet toppings from a fruit salad like this one! A few steamed edamame beans or chickpeas, chopped avocado or sliced almonds, and you’ve got yourself a satisfying, and very refreshing, summer salad. 

It’s breakfast or an afternoon snack but also lunch or dinner with a savory twist! Ah summer fruits, I love all that we can do with you! 

Do you have any interesting or unique summer fruit recipes?? 

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Sweet & Savory Summer Fruit Salad 

Ingredients {Serves 6}

2 cups – Watermelon {cubed}

2 cups – Honeydew Melon {cubed}

2 cups – Cantaloupe Melon {cubed}

2 cups – Pineapple {cubed}

2 cups – Mango {cubed}

Juice of 2 Limes

Handful Fresh Cilantro, roughly chopped

1 medium – Jalapeño {seeds removed & diced}

Dash of Hot Sauce

Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Recipe

In a large bowl, toss the cubed fruits, lime juice, diced jalapeño, cilantro and hot sauce and olive oil, to taste. Mix until all the fruit is well coated. Serve immediately or chilled.

Can be kept in an airtight container, refrigerated up to 4 days.