This was stolen directly from my neighbor Leah, who hosted a fabulous Memorial Day party for a bunch of people on our street this year. 
Spicy watermelon. I mean.
It's ridiculously simple, which honestly is how I think all watermelon dishes should be. Throw some feta on there every once in awhile, sure, but watermelon is so wonderful on its own, especially this time of year when it's actually in season, but mainly a few teeny flavors over the most perfect summer fruit is all I need.
I know some people are iffy about salt on fruit, and I hear you. Sometimes it doesn't work. Here, though, it definitely does. The super sweet melon with just a teeny bit of salt really bring together the spice of the cayenne and the freshness of the mint, and lime zest over the whole thing just feels right. It's one of those perfect 5-minute raw summer dishes that feel fancy, take zero effort, and taste amazing.
You need! Watermelon cubes, of course. Lime zest, mint, and teensy bits of salt and cayenne pepper make the melon feel extra special. 
I like to use smaller mint leaves and just tear them a bit when I'm making this salad, but you can chop them if you'd like. Besides that and cutting the watermelon there isn't any prep here. 
To make the salad, mix everything gently in a bowl to distribute the lime zest and cayenne pepper. Taste it and add a teeny bit more salt if you'd like. 
Eat! This is so simple but really adds a lot to a summer meal, especially this time of the summer when it starts to feel endlessly hot. This is so refreshing but still has a little flair + flavor. 
And what are we doing if not looking for ways to add flair + flavor to our lives?
I thought so.
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Salted Watermelon Salad with Cayenne and Mint
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
Salty, spicy, sweet watermelon salad is the perfect summer side dish. It's light, refreshing, and done in minutes!
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon cubes
- Zest of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 sprig fresh mint, leaves torn
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Stir well to combine (be sure the cayenne is evenly distributed), and taste. Add more salt or mint to your preference.
- Serve with your favorite summer meal. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
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