Melon Cucumber Medley Recipes

A SUMMERTIME MELON MEDLEY

Steps:

• Begin by making sure your melons are ripe.
• Peel, seed and cube the melons into bite size chunks, or use a melon baller; place in a large bowl.
• Add brown sugar, ginger, lime juice, lime zest; gently toss.
• Cover and chill at least one hour for best flavor.
• To serve: Toss before placing melon in dessert dishes. If desired, fill dishes with very cold sparkling white wine and garnish with mint leaves and toasted almonds.
• Cook's Tip: (1) Choose melons that are free of cuts, dents and bruises. (2) Store uncut melons in a cool place. Cut fruit should be refrigerated.

MELON, CUCUMBER AND MINT SALAD

Steps:

• Place the melons on a flat surface and split each one in half. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Slice the ends off, then slice off the skin with a knife. Cut the flesh into 1- to 2-inch chunks. Transfer 1 heaping cup of melon chunks to a blender. Refrigerate the remaining melon chunks in a large bowl until chilled.
• Make the dressing: Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, the lime zest and juice and the honey to the blender. Puree until smooth. Taste for seasoning; add more honey, if needed. Add a splash of water if needed to make a smooth dressing. Refrigerate the dressing until ready to serve.
• In a medium bowl, toss the cucumbers with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and a generous amount of pepper. Toss the chilled melon chunks with the dressing. Add the cucumbers, sprinkle the mint on top and mix a little.

CHILLED MELON, CUCUMBER AND MINT SALAD

Steps:

• Place the melons on a flat surface and split each one in half. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Use the larger-size scoop on a melon baller to scoop out the flesh. The goal is to tightly pack about 6 generous cups of melon flesh and then hollow the four melon halves out for presentation. Scrape the halves with a spoon to smooth the insides and gather additional flesh (and trap any juices) in a separate bowl until you have 1 heaping cup. Save the melon halves. Refrigerate the melon balls.
• Place the melon scraps and juices in a blender and add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lime zest and juice and honey. Puree until smooth and taste for seasoning. Add more honey, if needed. Add a splash of water if more liquid is needed to make a smooth puree. Refrigerate.
• In a medium bowl, toss the cucumbers with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and a generous amount of black pepper. Toss the melon balls with the dressing. Sprinkle the cucumbers and mint over the melon and mix a little. Fill the melon halves.

MELON-CUCUMBER COOLERS

Steps:

• Combine the melon, cucumber, sugar, lemon juice and 1 cup water in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, using a ladle to push the mixture through.
• Add the vodka and liqueur to the pitcher and stir to combine. Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. Divide among ice-filled glasses; garnish with cucumber spears.

CUCUMBER MELON SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the oil, lemon juice, sugar and pepper. Slice cucumber, then cut into quarters. , In a serving bowl, combine cucumber and melon. Pour dressing over all; toss gently to coat.