Spanspek and Watermelon Salad Recipe 🥗
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serving: Serves 4
Description:
Indulge in the refreshing flavors of summer with this delightful Spanspek and Watermelon Salad. This recipe combines the sweetness of watermelon with the unique taste of spanspek (cantaloupe), creating a light and vibrant dish perfect for any occasion. With a zesty syrup infused with lemon, vinegar, and ginger, this salad is a burst of flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. Topped with a hint of mint for a fresh finish, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 small watermelon
- 4 spanspek (cantaloupes)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- A pinch of pepper
- Muscatel (port wine), to taste
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, lemon juice, vinegar, and ground ginger.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar is dissolved.
- Allow the mixture to come to a boil and continue boiling for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the syrup through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into a bowl.
- Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
-
Prepare the Fruits:
- Meanwhile, prepare the fruits by deseeding the spanspek and watermelon.
- Using a melon baller, scoop out balls from the spanspek and watermelon and place them in a large mixing bowl.
-
Season the Fruits:
- Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the melon balls.
- Optionally, drizzle the muscatel over the fruits for an added depth of flavor.
- Gently toss the fruits to evenly distribute the seasonings.
-
Assemble the Salad:
- Pour the cooled syrup over the seasoned melon balls, ensuring they are well coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for several hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
-
Serve:
- Before serving, garnish the Spanspek and Watermelon Salad with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness.
- Serve chilled and enjoy the refreshing burst of flavors with every bite!
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 188.5
- Fat: 0.3g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 4.2mg
- Carbohydrates: 48.1g
- Fiber: 0.8g
- Sugar: 45.1g
- Protein: 1.2g
Recipe Notes:
- This Spanspek and Watermelon Salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, or as a light and refreshing dessert.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the syrup to suit your taste preferences.
- For an extra kick of flavor, you can add a splash of lime juice or a sprinkle of chili flakes to the syrup.
- This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Experiment with different varieties of melons for a unique twist on this classic recipe.
