Yes, the melons are still sweet and appear often in different recipes. Summer is the best time to make this salad when the melons (I always use cantaloupes) are plentiful and basil is flourishing.
A crunchy, nutty spice blend called Dukkah is found throughout Egypt and can be easily made as a topping for this simple fruit salad. Dukkah is made with a variety of pounded nuts, seeds and spices – I just love it!
Dukkah is such a delicious spice blend…
Another 5 star recipe from New York Times Cooking by Ham El-Wayfly.
Melon Salad with Pistachio Dukkah and Basil
Pistachio Dukkah:
- 2 tsp. coriander seeds
- 2 tsp. fennel seeds
- 1 tsp. cumin seeds
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt (I use Diamond kosher salt)
- 1/8 tsp. ground cayenne
- 1/4 cup roasted, salted, shelled pistachios
Salad:
- 1 large melon (I like cantaloupes with orange flesh), peeled, cut in half, seeded and then cut into 1/2-inch thick slices (I just cut them into chunks)
- flaky salt to taste (I used Maldon)
- EVOO
- fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the coriander, fennel and cumin seeds for 2-3 minutes or until fragrant.
Transfer the seeds to a spice grinder. Add the sugar, kosher salt and cayenne and blend until finely ground. Add the pistachios and blend again until a coarse powder forms.
Arrange the melon on a serving platter, season with flaky salt, drizzle with EVOO and sprinkle some dukkah on top. Scatter with fresh basil and serve with extra dukkah on the side.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
The ingredients…
Toasting the seeds…
Pistachio Dukkah…
I really like the mix of ingredients in this summer salad. I used to make something similar, but also added thinly sliced cucumber. 🙂
This is a new favorite way to serve melon. Love using dukkah to garnish recipes such as this 🙂 Cucumber would be good to add…
Nice spices!
Thanks – I thought so too 🙂
how interesting to have a savoury salad like this. I do love melon, esp. with a wrap of prosciutto in the summer 🙂
Prosciutto and melon is savory and salty just as this recipe is 🙂 I too love it with just prosciutto but it’s been fun to try new ingredients!
I think I like basil as much as you do, Judy. 🍃😋
We love herbs don’t we Gail… basil especially 🙂
Absolutely. 🌿😋🍃
Oh yes!!! This is a beautiful way to enjoy cantaloupe and basil in the summer. What a good combination. Thanks for the inspiration.
Velva
I can only enjoy fresh melons for a short time and I sure do like coming up with new ways to eat them – thank you 🙂
Fabulous! I’ve made a cantaloupe ice cream once with a basil syrup and it was really good. Normally I don’t get very creative with botanicals. I love the addition of the dukkah.
I bet it had a pretty color to it and basil does go well with cantaloupe. I’ve been experimenting with different dukkahs and I am working on a recipe now. I love this Egyptian mixture and can be made using different ingredients 🙂