Skip to main content

Cucumber and Melon Salad with Chile and Honey

This image may contain Cutlery Fork Plant Food Vegetable Produce Meal and Dish
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Emily Eisen

Consider this salad more supporting evidence that, yes, you need a mandoline in your life. The shaved cucumber and melon will release some liquid and lose a bit of crunch after they’re dressed, so toss everything together just before serving.  If you’re truly averse to turning on your oven right now, buy roasted pistachios.

Ingredients

4 servings

¼

cup raw pistachios

½

jalapeño or Fresno chile, thinly sliced

2

Tbsp. white wine vinegar

1

tsp. honey

3

Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

1

English hothouse cucumber, halved crosswise, then halved lengthwise, seeds scooped out with a spoon

¼

medium ripe honeydew melon or cantaloupe, rind removed

5

oz. ricotta salata (salted dry ricotta) or feta

½

cup basil leaves

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°. Toast pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 7–9 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop 2 Tbsp. pistachios. Leave remaining nuts whole; set aside.

    Step 2

    Whisk chopped pistachios, chile, vinegar, and honey in a small bowl. Gradually stream in oil, whisking constantly until emulsified; generously season dressing with salt and pepper.

    Step 3

    Using a mandoline, shave cucumber and honeydew lengthwise (or thinly slice with a knife). Place in a large bowl. Set blade to a slightly wider setting; shave cheese into planks. Add to bowl along with basil and reserved pistachios; drizzle dressing over and toss gently. Season with salt and pepper.

Sign In or Subscribe
to leave a Rating or Review

How would you rate Cucumber and Melon Salad with Chile and Honey?

Leave a Review

  • Lovely summer dinner. Made with Greek Mizithra cheese in place of ricotta salata.

    • Anonymous

    • Ithaca, New York

    • 8/20/2019

  • This is a fabulous recipe that really defines summer, but is still great in September. I have modified the recipe by adding in some avocado and then any number of fish proteins: grilled swordfish, seared scallops, Chilled grilled swordfish leftovers and even cooked shrimp. This is just such a versatile recipe! Thanks so much for putting it in the mag!

    • AHM1961

    • Maine

    • 9/19/2018