Summertime smells rival the smell of apples and cider in the fall. Fruit is so plentiful right now and walking through the Troy Farmer’s Market on Saturday it was almost intoxicating.

Melons, berries, and peaches are so plentiful. When the temperatures get high and the desire for quick and easy meals are imperative, I look for something I can make and use in multiple ways. This is one of those recipes- Melon Salad.

What you need:

• 1 honeydew melon – diced, or as my Grandmother called it, ‘mushmelon’ not the actual AKA of muskmelon
• 1 cantaloupe – diced
• ¾ cup of diced English cucumber
• 1 small to medium sized red onion or 2 medium sized shallots- diced
• Small peach. Donut peaches are out and plentiful right now

NOTE: Dice to the size you would use in salsa, not too small, maybe more of a chop.

• Pine nuts, sunflower seeds, or your nut of choice
• Honey, use a local good one if you have it
• ½ lemon to squeeze
• Maldon Salt Flakes & pepper lightly used to taste
• Mixed herbs- to be discussed later

What to do:

Mix all the diced ingredients in a medium sized bowl.

(peach is missing from this shot)

Gently and lightly drizzle some honey over the mix.  Lightly! You can always add but you cannot take away. Squeeze the lemon over the mixture.

Sprinkle salt & pepper.  Maldon Salt is so light and flaky. It’s perfect, if not, any salt will work. Pepper sparingly unless you love pepper.

How to use this melon wonder!

• Seafood: Spoon the melon salad on to a plate or bowl. Place grilled shrimp, salmon, or scallops on top and garnish with mint, dill, anise, fennel, or basil. Any herb is a good herb.
• Chicken: Grill some skewers of marinated chicken and veggies and place over the Melon Salad. Rosemary works great especially if you skewer the chicken on rosemary sprigs instead of wooden or metal skewers.
• Beef: Not a big beef person so I am open to options. If you use beef, you may want to beef up that melon salad with something that can stand up to it. Cherry tomatoes maybe?
• Cheese: Cheese is always a good idea. A crumbled Feta works great or fresh mozzarella. A crumbled blue could work if you choose beef as a protein option.

You can also spoon this salad mixture into a green tossed salad. It is refreshing.

So, embrace the melons and happy summer eating. (…and as usual, Prosecco is a wonderful compliment.  DO NOT use sparingly.)