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Moroccan Watermelon Salad with Cucumber, pistachios, parsley, mint, onion and crumbled feta (optional) …refreshing, simple and delicious! GF and Vegan adaptable.
One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.- Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
This Moroccan Watermelon Cucumber Salad is a way to cool off on these hot summer days. Cold crisp watermelon is cubed along with Turkish cucumbers – then it’s given a little Moroccan twist. Tossed with red onion, toasted pistachios, parsley, mint and a light vinaigrette, it’s sprinkled with a pinch of ground clove and optional feta crumbles. Quick and simple to make, it is light and refreshing summer salad.
How quickly summer goes! We are back from our little getaway to Whidbey and Lummi Island. We spent a few glorious days beachcombing, exploring, relaxing with our dog Maxx and basically just cooling off! Back home now, the temperatures are soaring into the 100’s again.
Once, when I was young and my mother was away the whole summer visiting “her people” in Finland, my frugal dad, sliced open an enormous watermelon right down the middle and handed me half, along with a spoon and declared that was our dinner.
So there we sat outside on the patio, each with our giant half watermelon eating it right out of the rind, playing Chinese Checkers until the sun eventually sunk down into the hills and our bellies were full.
We lived in LA, and it had been sweltering hot for days on end, and at that time we had no air conditioner. The delicious, cold, crisp watermelon seemed like an oasis in the desert- so cooling and refreshing. To this day, I have never forgotten it.
I really love the addition of parsley and onion in this salad.
Also, to me, watermelon must be served ice-cold. When making this, either refrigerate the watermelon beforehand or leave time before serving the salad to have it in the fridge until it’s thoroughly chilled.
And though this Watermelon Salad is best served the on day it is made, it does seem to keep pretty well for a couple of days, so be sure to save the leftovers.
The feta is optional. I like it both ways…with and without. See what you think, and remember if leaving the feta off, you may need to add a little more salt.
The pistachios are a nice addition, giving it great texture. Make sure they are roasted or toasted, otherwise they may get soggy in the salad.
Hope you enjoy this cool and refreshing Watermelon Salad and have a great weekend!
xoxo
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Moroccan Watermelon Salad with Pistachio
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed
- Cuisine: moroccan
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Moroccan Watermelon Salad with Cucumber, pistachios, parsley, mint, onion and optional crumbled feta…refreshing, simple and delicious!
Ingredients
- 4–5 cups watermelon cut into 3/4-1 inch cubes
- 4 Turkish cucumbers (or one English) cut into 3/4 inch cubes
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped mint
- 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
- 1/4–1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup toasted pistachios
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/8 cup red wine or white balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt, more to taste
- cracked pepper
- a pinch ground clove (or allspice, both optional)
Instructions
- Place watermelon, cucumber and onion in a large bowl. Add herbs, optional feta and pistachios.
- Gently mix.
- Add olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and mix to incorporate.
- Taste and adjust salt… you made need more if not adding feta.
Notes
If making ahead, save the pistachios and some of the fresh herbs to add right before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 146
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 237 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3.3 g
- Cholesterol: 8.3 mg
Keywords: watermelon salad, watermelon cucumber salad, watermelon feta salad, moroccan salad, watermelon salad recipes, best watermelon salad
Great flavors for summer BBQ. To take it to the next level, before cubing the melon, I brushed slices with olive oil and quick grilled, high heat, to get char marks and smoky flavor.
That sounds amazing Joseph!
Simply delicious summer bowl of freshness :o)
Thank you!!!
★★★★★
thanks so much!
Made this salad for my family. Everyone loved it! This is a Keeper!
Great to hear Karen!
Refreshing and delicious! Keeping this salad for family fun meals! Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
thanks Jessica!
Best salad EVER! Refreshing, layers of flavor, perfect for summer. Thanks!
★★★★★
Awwww, thanks so much Pat! Miss your lovely face! ❤️
I’m allergic to onions – can you recommend a good substitute?
I think it would be fine to leave them out here!
what can i sub for ground cloves?
You could try allspice or cinnamon, or just leave it out. 🙂
This is my favorite go-to watermelon salad. Our neighbors expect it at every block party!
Helpful tip: put your cut watermelon in a strainer while making the recipe. It helps cut down the watery-ness.
★★★★★
Thanks Brittany!
Wow, what a great recipe! Clean, refreshing and the combination of flavors is wonderful. A favorite salad for those who live in warm climates.
★★★★★
Oh awesome- glad you liked it Pam!
A perfect summer salad that is refreshing and unique. I doubled the recipe for a summer grill out and it was a hit with everyone. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
★★★★★
Hi Sylvia, Kevin & I loved this salad. He called it a fun salad. Soooo delicious.
★★★★★
Hey Tracey! thanks so much, glad to hear you both liked it and it was so good to catch up with you at the Murdoch’s! xoxo
I didn’t have pistachios on hand, so in case anyone was wondering, this is delicious with toasted pine nuts as well 🙂
★★★★★
funny, i was thinking about this too
Thanks for the recipe. Tasted sooo good and refreshin! I omiited the feta and onions. Added lil less mint and some extra clove. Everyone loved it!!
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed it!!!
Can’t wait to try this watermelon salad. I will also marinate the onions, but in lemon juice. Love your salads! I’m
Planning a baby shower and want to serve only finger foods. Any ideas?
Most of Sylvia’s delicious salads can be served in little gem lettuce leaves as individual portions.
It was a happy day when I found your website. I have cooked and loved so many of your recipes.
This one is another delicious keeper! Thank you!
Sonja
★★★★★
Hi Sonja, Thank YOU for being a regular to the site…and for the feedback, it means a lot!!
Just in time for National Watermelon Day! This recipe looks delicious for summer. I can’t wait to try it at my next gathering. Your recipes are always a big hit!
Oh… thank you Karolina, appreciate it!!!
Just made it for tonights super. Very delicious – the adding of pistachios was new to me, but a keeper! As I have stomach trouble with raw onion, I marinated it in the vinager with a pinch of seasalt while chopping the rest of the salad – and put all of it with the evoo, S&P in the salad.
Thanks a lot for the recipe and try to keep it cool 😉 !
Great idea to marinate the onion! Glad you liked it Emma!
I love pistachio and I love watermelon, but I never thought of putting the two together before. The salad looks so refreshing and delicious!
Thanks Mary Frances! It is a refreshing salad for sure. Hope you enjoy…
I just love your salad recipes, this one is a winner with me again. 🙂
Thanks Adina…appreciate it! Have a great week!