Cucumber Melon Caprese Salad with Mint and Purslane
A refreshing and delicate salad.
Prep Time: 15 minutesminutes
Total: 15 minutesminutes
Servings: 2appetizer-sized salads, or 1 light-meal-sized salad
Ingredients
8-10(1/4" thick) slices from 1/4 of a small Charentais melon (or cantaloupe)
8-10(1/4" thick) slices from 1/4 of a small Galia melon (or cantaloupe)
~3/4 cup thinly sliced cucumber (I used some lemon cucumber and Persain cucumber)
a large handful arugula greens, tough stems removed, washed and dried
a large handful purslane greens, tough stems removed, washed and dried
a small handful basil leaves, torn into large pieces
a small handful mint leaves, torn into large pieces
1tablespoongood olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
2-3teaspoonswhite wine vinegar
1/8 - 1/4teaspoonflaky salt
1/8teaspooncracked black pepper
4-6ouncesfresh mozzarella, drained on paper towels, halved, and sliced 1/4" thick
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the melon and cucumber slices with the arugula, purslane, basil, and mint. Drizzle the olive oil and 2 teaspoons vinegar over the top, and sprinkle over the 1/8 teaspoon flaky salt and the cracked pepper. Use your hands to gently toss the components together. Taste, adding more vinegar, salt, or anything else you like until the flavors pop.
For stacked salads, make a ring with 2 each of the melon slices. Top with cucumber slices, a quarter of the mozzarella, and a mound of greens. Repeat to make two layers of each ingredient. Repeat with salad number Drizzle a little more olive oil, flaky salt, and cracked black pepper over the top. Serve right away, preferably with a glass of crisp white wine.
Notes
Inspired by a salad of the same name from Piccino.This is the sort of recipe that is suited to eyeballing and seasoning to taste, but here are the quantities that I used for guidance.You can either stack your salads as instructed, or simply strew everything onto a plate and have at it.Using two melons and two cucumbers of different varieties lends a fun contrast of flavors and textures, but use whatever you've got.I found purslane and wild arugula at our co-op, but another peppery green would work just as well, such as watercress or peppercress, or a chicory such as frisee or radicchio.Nutritional values are based on one of two servings.