The last two watermelons we purchased at Winco were grown by Dan Avila & Sons of Turlock and they have been over the top delicious. I found a fun bunch of watermelon recipes in the September, 2008 issue of Saveur magazine (issue 113)
I made the watermelon & tomato salad pictured above; which is a tasty mixture of sweet, sour & spicy. Ali noted that Mark Bittman also has a recipe for this unique combination. We found it delicious.
The recipe makes a big bowl full, but it keeps well for a day in the frig.
Mix together 1/4 cup white wine or rice vinegar, 3 tsp sugar, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp cayenne in a large bowl. Quarter & slice half of a small red onion & add to bowl. Let the onion soak in the mixture for at least a half hour. This softens & sweetens the onion. (Dad commented on the delicious onion in the salad.)
Remove rind & seeds from 4 lbs. of watermelon, cut into 1 inch chunks. Also cut about 1.5 lbs. of red ripe tomatoes into 1 inch chunks; add these to bowl along with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1 loosely packed cup each of shredded basil & mint leaves. Stir gently to toss. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Cool and refreshing on a HOT summer day.
