Watermelon Carpaccio

5 from 2 reviews

Sweet watermelon, creamy feta, crunchy walnuts, and fresh herbs come together in this easy, elegant Mediterranean-inspired summer dish.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sweet and salty, vegetarian, watermelon, watermelon carpaccio, watermelon recipe

Servings:

How to cut the watermelon: The goal is to cut watermelon into 2 to 2.5-inch-thick rectangular shapes, and then slice those rectangles into thin strips OR use a vegetable peeler to peel the rectangles into thin strips.
Here's how I formed rectangular shapes, starting with a whole watermelon: I cut a small watermelon in half and only used one half for this recipe. You can also purchase 1/2 a small watermelon if you don't want to buy a whole one. I then placed the watermelon half on it's side and I cut off a piece from the bottom (rind) so that it lays flat on a cutting board. I laid the melon flat (rind side down) and cut the rest of the rind off of the watermelon. From here you should be able to cut out a 2 to 2.5-inch-thick rectangular shape out of this piece. I like to cut my piece as wide as my y-peeler is.
Note: for zero waste, eat any of the watermelon scraps or throw them into a smoothie or refreshing drink for the summer.
Using a knife or a vegetable peeler, cut or peel the watermelon into thin strips. Assemble the strips on a serving plate.
Add a drizzle of honey, crumble feta on top, add crushed walnuts and garnish with fresh mint. Enjoy!

Cheeses: Feta is classic, but goat cheese or blue cheese both work well if you want a creamier or tangier flavor.
Nuts: Instead of walnuts, add crushed pistachios, almonds, or pecans for a delicious crunch.
Fruits: Cantaloupe, honeydew, or even peaches are great seasonal fruit alternatives to watermelon.
Herbs: Fresh herbs add a pop of color and flavor - try mint for brightness, thyme for a subtle, aromatic note, or a blend for added complexity.
Sauces: Use a floral, local honey for a flavor (and immunity!) boost. You could also add hot honey for a kick, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for bold flavor.