Watermelon and Feta Salad with Maple Blueberry Vinaigrette

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Happy Long Weekend (in Canada!) and welcome to the finale of White Meadows Farms Summer Salad Series: Watermelon & Feta Salad with Maple Blueberry Vinaigrette. This refreshing salad with watermelon, feta, and fresh mint is just what you need to ring in the month of August. Be sure to keep this recipe bookmarked for when local watermelon starts showing up at your farmer’s market — the fresher, the better! 🍉

In Case You Missed It!

Week 1: New Potato Salad with Maple Mustard
Week 2: Asian Noodle Salad Bowl with Maple Vinegar

✨Recipe Highlight: Maple Blueberry Vinaigrette

The vibrant vinaigrette is what truly sets this recipe apart. Typically, this salad is made with balsamic vinegar to contrast the lighter flavours in the salad. Aarika has developed a special dressing with Maple Blueberry Sauce and white wine vinegar to showcase the vibrant blue colour and pop of blueberries throughout. Maple Blueberry Sauce is a fan favourite at White Meadows Farms. With its bright, peppy sweetness and texture of whole wild blueberries, it’s a sweet treat that can be used in many ways!

Our Favourite Ways to Use Maple Blueberry Sauce

✔️ On top of pancakes
✔️ In a cocktail – Check out The Blue Sap Smash
✔️ Mix with yogurt
✔️ Swirl into the top of a lemon loaf before baking
✔️ Add to oatmeal

The Perfect Pairing: Watermelon and Feta

This recipe is a shining example of how both sharp and subtle flavours can be paired together to create an incredibly balanced dish. This salad combines the juicy sweetness of watermelon, and the creamy saltiness of feta cheese. If you’ve never had this unexpected combination of ingredients before, give it a try! The natural sugars in the watermelon are enhanced by the cheese’s savoury notes.

A few other ways to try this delectable duo:

  • Watermelon Gazpacho with Crumbled Feta Garnish
  • Watermelon and Feta Bruschetta
  • Grilled Watermelon and Feta Skewers

🍉 GUIDE TO CHOOSING A PERFECT WATERMELON 🍉

SHAPE
Look for a uniform shape, avoid lumps or irregularities.

WEIGHT
The watermelon should feel heavy for its size, indicating it’s full of water and juicy.

FIELD SPOT
Check the underside for a creamy yellow spot, where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.

SOUND
Tap the melon and listen for a deep, hollow sound, which suggests it’s ripe.

RIND
The rind should be dull rather than shiny, a glossy appearance often means it’s underripe.

via watermelon.org

Balance of Flavours

The salad also includes arugula for extra crunch and a hint of pepperiness, but you can absolutely do without it! If you choose to omit the arugula, be sure to cut the feta into cubes instead of crumbling it for optimal texture. Kick this salad up a notch with the use of fresh blueberries or dried cranberries for an added pop of colour. You can also substitute fresh basil in place of mint for a slightly more savoury vibe 🌿

Easy Assembly

This simple salad is so easy to put together. Chop the watermelon into bite sized cubes or triangles for top-notch presentation. Add sliced onion, crumbled feta, chopped mint, and toasted pumpkin seeds.

🍴 Be sure to keep the vinaigrette on the side until ready to serve.

Toss everything together, and if there is any salad leftover after your meal (although there probably won’t be!), be sure to discard any remaining salad as it does not keep well after serving.

Bringing It All Together

Once your salad components are ready and your vinaigrette is prepared, it’s time to bring it all together. Drizzle the Maple Blueberry Vinaigrette over the salad, then gently toss to ensure all the ingredients are evenly coated. The vibrant colours and bold flavours will not only delight your taste buds but also impress your guests.

Why You’ll Love This Salad

This Watermelon & Feta Salad with Maple Blueberry Vinaigrette is more than just a salad; it’s a celebration of summer! The combination of juicy watermelon and tangy feta creates a refreshing balance, perfect for hot summer days. The unique flavour profile of the Maple Blueberry Vinaigrette adds a sophisticated twist, blending sweetness and acidity in a way that complements the other ingredients beautifully. This salad is the perfect addition to your long weekend menu, offering a refreshing and light option that everyone will love.

Watermelon & Feta Salad with Maple Blueberry Vinaigrette 

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

For the Vinaigrette

For the Salad

  • 4 Cups Arugula
  • 2 Cups Watermelon (½ small watermelon), cut into chunks
  • ¼ Cup Red Onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ Cup Crumbled Feta (or cut into cubes)
  • ¼ Cup Toasted Salted Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Mint, Chopped

Method:

Prepare the Vinaigrette:

  • Add all the vinaigrette ingredients into a glass jar with a well-fitting lid.
  • Shake well for about 1 minute or until well combined and creamy.

Assemble the Salad:

  • Place all salad ingredients into a large serving bowl.

Dress the Salad:

  • When ready to serve, drizzle the vinaigrette on top of the salad.
  • Gently toss to combine, ensuring the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.

Thank you for joining us in the 2024 Summer Salad Series!

We’d love to hear if you’ve tried any of these recipes, be sure to tag @whitemeadowsfarms! Follow along for a BRAND NEW SERIES coming in August for more maple recipes you won’t want to miss…

✨Enjoy the Long Weekend!