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You are here: Home / Recipes / Healthy / Watermelon Arugula Salad

Watermelon Arugula Salad

June 4, 2013 Updated February 12, 2019 4 Comments

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If you are looking for a fresh, light salad for the summer.  This is it.  It’s easy.  It’s fast.  It’s fabulous.

You will need:

1/2 pound baby arugula leaves
2 pounds seedless watermelon, 3/4-inch-diced (3 pounds with the rind)
1/3 cup good olive oil
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2-pound chunk Parmesan cheese

I actually hate shopping for watermelon.  I feel like closing my eyes and just grabbing one.  Buying a watermelon is like buying a lottery ticket.  The chances of getting the perfect watermelon that’s crisp and not mushy is a huge gamble.  You can sniff, thump and press and still get a not-so-perfect melon.  It’s bogus!

I was trying to pick the perfect melon today, when a gentleman asked me how to pick a watermelon.  He wife had sent him to the store to buy 2 watermelons.  I showed him how I do it.  I told him to just close his eyes reach in and grab one.  It just luck of the draw.  I have looked for bee stings, yellow spots where the melon was sitting on the ground.  I have thumped it while holding it against by stomach to see if I could feel the vibrations coming through….everything.  I probably only get a great melon less than 50% of the time.

It’s really best for me to just wait for the farmers market to start selling locally grown melons.  In the meantime, I will thump my way through the process.

Remove the rind from the watermelon and dice.  Sometimes my dices get a little larger than they should be.
That’s ok.  I, also, have a tendency to use a little more watermelon too.

 

In a large bowl or platter arrange the arugula.  Well, you’re not exactly arranging the arugula because you’re going to be tossing it soon.  Basically just slap in on there.

 

Top with your amazingly sweet, juicy and crisp melon.

 

Juice 2-3 lemons until you have 1/4 cup.

I know you wouldn’t dare use the bottled stuff.  Gross.

 

Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt.  Less if you are using table salt.

 

Freshly grind 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Let me tell you something about pepper.  Fresh ground is best.  I don’t even own any of the canned stuff.  I through that out YEARS ago.  If you want to freshen the taste of your food, change to fresh ground pepper and kosher or sea salt.  Yes, it’s that simple.  Your food will taste better.

 

Whisk in 1/3 cup good flavored olive oil.  I’m using lemon olive oil because I have it and I love it.

 

Pour the dressing over the watermelon and arugula.

 

Toss gently.  I like using my hands.

 

I like to sprinkle my salads with a bit of Maldon sea salt.  I love this salt.  It’s just a great flavoring salt and accent to any dish.

 

I’m using a potato peeler to slice off large shavings of the Parmesan cheese.  I’m actually using Grana Padano   because I love it.

 

That’s it. How fast was that?

 

I can eat this entire plate full.  The sweetness and crust of the watermelon with the peppery arugula is just so addictive.  I’m a texture person.  I love things with a bite.  Kind of like cold dark chocolate.  I just can’t stop.

Your next summer salad.

Let me know if you have  sure formula for selecting the perfect watermelon.  Just closing my eyes isn’t working so good lately.

Enjoy.

5 from 1 vote
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Watermelon and Arugula Salad

If you are looking for a fresh, light salad for the summer. This is it. It’s easy. It’s fast. It’s fabulous.

Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword watermelon arugula salad recipe, wawtermelon arugula salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 311 kcal
Author Janet Barton

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound baby arugula leaves
  • 2 pounds seedless watermelon 3/4-inch-diced (3 pounds with the rind)
  • 1/3 cup good olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 lemons
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 pound chunk Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Place the arugula and watermelon in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pour enough dressing on the arugula to moisten.

  2. Toss well and place on 6 salad plates.
  3. With a very sharp knife or a vegetable peeler, shave the Parmesan into large shards and sprinkle them on the arugula and watermelon. Sprinkle with salt and serve. (Ina Garten)

Nutrition Facts
Watermelon and Arugula Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 311 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value*
Fat 22g34%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Cholesterol 25mg8%
Sodium 1005mg42%
Potassium 354mg10%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 15g30%
Vitamin A 2055IU41%
Vitamin C 21.9mg27%
Calcium 519mg52%
Iron 1.3mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Related

Filed Under: Healthy, Salads, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: Lemon, lemon vinaigrette, summer salads, watermelon, watermelon arugula salad

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. mickeydownunder says

    June 9, 2014 at 4:18 am

    Congrats on also being featured in Deanna's Olive and Grapevine Salad Newsletter this week!
    GREAT salad! Cheers! Joanne

    Reply
  2. Janet Barton says

    June 7, 2013 at 4:52 am

    Hi Dani, I hope you are feeling better. Darn bronchitis. I feel so bad for you, but tomato soup does make one feel better. How I wish our greengrocer would cut out a part of the melon. We just don't have that luxury. You are always so kind and I love your comments. Get well soon. xoxo

    Reply
  3. Danhiskka says

    June 6, 2013 at 3:29 am

    Hi Janet, this is a great salad! It's also one of my favourites because if you add some feta cheese and black olives it's a really good lunch.
    Here in Argentina we buy the fruit in verdulerías (tiny stores that only sell fruits, vegetables and eggs). The greengrocer cuts a little part of the melons (like they do with the cheese to see how is maturing) so you can taste it before taking it home.

    I'm reading the previous post, what a beautiful obsession! It must be so heartwarming to have that connection with the women of your family.

    I'm in bed with bronchitis (this is the first day that I allowed to be in front of the computer), and, like the witty girl that I am, I persuaded my mother to make me your tomato and thyme soup. She loved it!

    Love,

    Reply
  4. Nic says

    June 4, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    I wish I had a method for picking watermelon but it really is usually just the luck of the draw 😉

    Reply

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