Spicy Cantaloupe salad with sweet, juicy fruit, fresh herbs, and a zesty dressing. Healthy and flavorful dish to have on a hot summer afternoon. Pair this salad as a side dish with bbq, grilled meats or have it as a light meal.

All these years I never liked the weird smell of cantaloupe but this recipe made me a recent convert. So I strongly recommend giving this refreshing salad a try!

Cantaloupe is in season during the summer months and is a popular ingredient in summer salads. It is also called rock melon. It is a variety of musk melon.

Spicy Cantaloupe salad with sweet, juicy fruit, fresh herbs, and a zesty dressing. Healthy and flavorful dish

WHY YOU SHOULD TRY THIS RECIPE?

Cantaloupe contains high amounts of vitamin C. This is also a paleo diet friendly, dairy-free salad, a delicious salad recipe that is insanely simple that has attractive looking fruit balls that leave guests asking for more at any party. Use any all all kinds of mixed melon for eye appeal.

TASTE: The flavors profile of this salad is sweet, spicy, tangy and herbaceous.The chili seasoning powder is the unexpected yet very pleasant twist in this recipe.
TEXTURE: The cantaloupe melon is delicate while the onion and cucumber add the crunch and bite to the salad
TIME: Takes few minutes to shape the cantaloupe with the melon baller hardly but any time to assemble !
EASE: This is such a simple recipe to make. Takes few ingredients very easily swap with everything you have on hand.

Ingredients and substitutes :

Fruit: Cantaloupe is often paired with other fruits to create a colorful and flavorful fruit salad.
Acidic flavor : Squeezing fresh lime or lemon juice adds a bright and citrusy flavor.
Veggies : Onion and cucumber add the much needed crunch and cuts the sweetness.
Herb : Cilantro or parsley pairs well with the chili flavors
Mint: Adding fresh mint to cantaloupe salad can enhance its flavor and aroma.

Additions and alternatives :

Fruit options : Use any other fruit such as Honey-dew, pineapple, firm- raw or ripe mango, watermelon, avocado dragon fruit etc
Veggies : Carrot, baby radish, jicama
Greens : Arugula, Kale etc can go well with the flavor profile.
Cheese : Feta or fresh mozzarella balls can add a creamy tangy flavor.
Flavoring : Honey, Balsamic vinegar etc add sweet and tangy taste.
Nuts : Almond or walnut can add a crunchy texture to the salad.
Herb: Mint adds a fresh peppermint taste and aroma.
Cold cuts : Prosciutto For meat lovers. Wrapping thin slices of prosciutto around chunks of cantaloupe can create a savory and sweet appetizer.

Spicy Cantaloupe salad with sweet, juicy fruit, fresh herbs, and a zesty dressing.

TIPS TO REMEMBER :

Mixing the salad:
- Mixing well in advance : will make the salad so water that it will loose all its flavor in the water
- Mixing at the last minute : The melon will taste very bland.
- Mix half any hour before serving.
Allow the melon to ooze out all the moisture then add to the salad.
Breaking down the onion with citrus removes most of its pungent flavor.
While melon Baller is not necessary it adds shape and interest to the salad. From my personal observation kids and adults have shown more interest to eat the fruit.

Easy steps for making this spicy cantaloupe salad :

Use a melon baller for the perfect round. Use firm yet ripe fruit for best results.

SERVING AND STORAGE :

TO SERVE : Serve this salad cold as appetizer with beer. It can also be served as a side dish with grilled fish, baked fish, meats or barbecue or as a light summer meal.
TO STORE: Place leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to a day. Remember salad is always best when eaten fresh.
TO MAKE AHEAD: Keep all the ingredients ready in separate in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble half hour before serving so the flavors mingle.

Other popular recipes on the blog :

Fruit salads : Watermelon salad, Sweet and spicy -Mixed fruit salad , Strawberry salsa

Watermelon drinks :Agua fresca, Malibu Surf - ( alcoholic )

Other unique melon recipes: Beautiful red - Watermelon Halwa , Watermelon rind pickled

Spicy Cantaloupe Salad

Juicy melon, fresh herbs, and a zesty dressing. Perfect summer dish for healthy and flavorful meal.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1

Course Appetizer, Lunch, Salad

Cuisine American, Mexican

Servings 3

Calories 108 kcal

Equipment

1 Melon baller

Ingredients

1/2 of 1 Cantaloupe 20 to 25 scooped melon balls
2 -3 Persian cucumber
Red onion Use pickled onion instead
1 Lime juiced
1-2 Green chili
1-2 Birds Eye chili Optional
few sprigs parsley or cilantro chopped

seasoning powder

Chili seasoning mix chili powder
Garlic powder
Salt to taste Optional

Instructions

Mix 1/2 the lime juice with sliced red onion adding salt and keep aside for half hour. Or microwave for 20 seconds for fast pickled onion.Allow it to cool.
Scoop the melon using a melon baller. Or slice few pieces. allow most of the juices to drain out naturally. Cut the cucumber into triangle shapes so the inside seeds are clearly visible. Keep this refrigerated.
Make a dressing with the remaining lime juice, chili seasoning mix, garlic powder and salt. Add the cut chilies too into it just before mixing.
Mix the dressing and the pickled onion,cucumber, melon pieces gently sprinkle herb on top. Refrigerate the salad for half an hour and serve.
Serve with grilled meats, side dish or as a light meal.

Notes

Mixing the salad:
- Mixing well in advance : will make the salad so water that it will loose all its flavor in the water
- Mixing at the last minute : The melon will taste very bland.
- Mix half any hour before serving.

Allow the melon to ooze out all the moisture then add to the salad.

Breaking down the onion with citrus removes most of its pungent flavor.

Keyword Fruit salad, Melon salad, Spicy Cantaloupe Salad

Cantaloupe salad has the sweetness of fruit, crunch of cucumber, tanginess of lime, with the spiciness of chili and fresh chilies. You can create a balanced and delicious salad with fruits of your choice. Do try this delicious spicy cantaloupe salad!

Meena