Watermelon and Feta Salad With Harissa

Photo by Rush Jagoe

This is a great salad for the hottest days of summer, when you barely want to move, let alone cook. Also, check out Alon Shaya’s homemade harissa recipe instead of using store-bought.

SEE ALSO: Homeland to Table

INGREDIENTS:

• About 4 pounds watermelon, rind on
• 2-3 tablespoons store-bought harissa (Editor’s note: Try Trader Joe’s brand)
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
• 1¼ walnut pieces, toasted, divided
• 3 tablespoons lightly packed fresh parsley leaves
• 1½ cups crumbled sheep’s milk feta, preferably Bulgarian

PROCESS:

Use a sharp knife to cut the watermelon into 1- to 2-inch slices. Then trim off the rind, and gently scrape away any seeds before cutting it into chunks; you want to have about 3 quarts total. Stick the chopped melon in a colander to drain while you prepare the rest.

In a large salad bowl, combine the harissa with the olive oil and white-wine vinegar. Finely chop ¼ cup walnuts and add them, too; stir it all to combine. Add
the watermelon to the salad bowl. Roughly chop the remaining cup of walnuts and the parsley; scatter it with the feta all over the watermelon, using your hands to
toss gently.

Serve this right away—when it’s allowed to sit, the watermelon gives off a lot of juices that dilute the great flavors in the dressing.