Quick-Pickled Cucumber-Melon Salad
And there you have it: a great picnic dish!
All you need to make this lively salad: sweet melon (we used honeydew), Kirby cucumbers, prosciutto or feta, salt, pepper and sugar.
For this dish, you want a melon that's ripe, but not super-soft.
Amanda sneak a little nibble of feta!
Peelin' the Kirbys.
Lovely, aren't they?
We discovered that cubing melon is more of a challenge than slicing cukes. But a good challenge.
We tossed the cucumbers and melon in sugar and salt, left them for a bit to release their liquid, and then drained them.
When slicing prosciutto into ribbons, start with it nice and cold -- it will make your life a lot easier!
Assembly.
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Author Notes: Who *didn't* lose their mind when the Momofuku cookbook came out? While most of its recipes are eminently impractical, I have made David Chang's quick pickled cucumbers more times than I can count - thin Kirby cukes marinated in sugar and salt, rinsed, patted dry, and then devoured. But why not cut the vegetables a bit thicker, and bring that highly addictive flavor to a salad? With sweet melon and a touch of salty, pliant prosciutto? (Vegetarians can substitute a handful of feta - one extra salty item is necessary, in my opinion).
I now eat this salad for breakfast. - MeghanVK - MeghanVK
Food52 Review: When MeghanVK says "quick-pickled", she's not kidding. Once you toss hunks of cucumber and melon in a few spoonfuls of salt and sugar, a 10 to 20 minute time-out is all they need. An impressive amount of water drains away, intensifying the flavors and gently seasoning them at the same time. Add silky threads of prosciutto (or feta, if that's how you roll), and you've got yourself a picnic in 30 minutes flat. - A&M - A&M
Makes 6 cups
- 4 Kirby cucumbers, peeled and sliced 1/2 inch thin
- 3 cups sweet melon, cubed
- 2 tablespoons plus two teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- black pepper, to taste
- 2 slices high-quality prosciutto, cut into thin ribbons OR:
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- In a bowl, mix together the cucumbers and melon. Sprinkle over with the sugar and salt. The salad will begin to expel liquid almost immediately. Let sit 10-20 minutes and drain well. Return to the fridge until ready to serve.
- Before your picnic/casual lunch/classy dinner party, drain the salad again and remove to a serving bowl. Add a grind of black pepper and sprinkle over the prosciutto or feta (using both will add too much salt; not recommended). Spoon into bowls or eat straight from the serving dish with your fingers, trying to keep the cucumber-melon juice off your chin.
- Your Best Picnic Dish Contest Finalist!
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about 1 year ago carol_tanenbaum
I drained this really well, and tossed it with arugula and a lemon vinaigrette -- called it dinner! I also like this salad without the prosciutto or feta, but served with cheeses on the side as a salad/cheese course. Works beautifully, and everyone raves.
over 1 year ago Alison Mason
This is really good! I made it with feta because thats what I had in the fridge. Next time I will try with the prosciutto. Thank you!
almost 2 years ago joshenk
Making this again tonight-trying it with different melons!
almost 2 years ago fiveandspice
Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.
This is really perfect for this steamy weather we're having! Thanks for sharing such a great quick pickle technique. I'll be using it all summer.
almost 2 years ago MeghanVK
Thanks - hope you like it!
almost 2 years ago annanymous
just made this and it's excellent!!! great, fast recipe
almost 2 years ago MeghanVK
Thanks! It almost freaks me out with how easy it is :)
almost 2 years ago TiggyBee
Beautiful!! Congrats!! : )
almost 2 years ago sexyLAMBCHOPx
Oh my! I made this last night to accompany grilled tenderloin. So amazing, and easy! Maybe next time I will fry up the prosciutto a bit because I can never leave well enough alone. Also, mayyybeee, a drizzle of my best balsamic. Keeper for sure & thank you for a great recipe.
almost 2 years ago MeghanVK
I'm so glad you liked it! I bet balsamic would be absolutely delicious on this... maybe with that extra sweetness you could even crumble in some feta and it would stay balanced. Thank you!
almost 2 years ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
The very thought of crumbling feta over this is making my mouth water . . . . I'm thinking feta AND prosciutto would be "killer" (as my sons say). Actually, I'd put it into a fresh-off-the-griddle roti and call it "dinner"!! ;o)
almost 2 years ago ibbeachnana
Perfect timing I needed something to take to a cookout tomorrow and this is just the ticket.
Great recipe and congratulations!
almost 2 years ago MeghanVK
Thanks! I hope everyone's 4th cookouts go well :)
almost 2 years ago Bevi
Congrats! This is going to be made in a few days.
almost 2 years ago kristijarvis
I will be making this for our 4th gathering! Lovely!
almost 2 years ago kristijarvis
Awesome! Making this for our 4th party!!
almost 2 years ago MeghanVK
Hope you enjoy it! Let me know how it goes!
almost 2 years ago joshenk
Yummers
almost 2 years ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
Mmmm, perfect. Simplicity itself. Just yesterday, I bookmarked Chang's pickle recipe in Alice Waters's "In the Green Kitchen." Going sweet + salty with this is just brilliant. Congrats!! ;o)
almost 2 years ago carol_tanenbaum
OH BOY, YUM!
almost 2 years ago Midge
What a beautiful salad. Congrats MeghanVK!
almost 2 years ago wssmom
Congrats on being a finalist! This looks wonderful!
almost 2 years ago sexyLAMBCHOPx
Congrats, looks amazing. Upscale picnic fare for sure!
almost 2 years ago MeghanVK
Ha, thank you - it certainly seems upscale, but no one needs to know how easy (and cheap) it is!
almost 2 years ago Beautiful, Memorable Food
Congrats on being a finalist! This looks delicious. I often make quick Japanese style cucumber pickles with rice vinegar, sugar and sea salt, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds, but I like the contrast you introduce here with sweet melon and salty prosciutto,
almost 2 years ago MeghanVK
Thank you! I'll have to try this with toasted sesame seeds.
almost 2 years ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Congrats MeghanVK on being a finalist, your salad is lovely.
almost 2 years ago MeghanVK
Thank you! I hope you try it out :)
almost 2 years ago midnitechef
Hmm, interesting.