This refreshing fruit salad is given a surprising savory edge by creamy avocados and tart pickled onions. It makes a gorgeous first course when presented in a nice martini glass.
| Prep Time: | 30 mins |
| Additional Time: | 1 hr |
| Total Time: | 1 hr 30 mins |
| Servings: | 6 |
| Yield: | 6 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups small cantaloupe balls
- 2 cups 1/2-inch diced seedless watermelon
- 1 ripe mango, cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 1 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
- 2 ripe Hass avocados
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 thin lime slices
Instructions
- To make pickled onions, combine the thinly sliced red onion and the red wine vinegar in a small bowl. Cover; chill for at least one hour.
- Pour the orange juice into a large salad bowl. Whisk in the olive oil and orange zest; season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Toss the cantaloupe, watermelon, and mango in the dressing. Just before serving, stir in the pickled onions and cilantro leaves.
- Cut the avocados into 1/2 inch dice; place in a small bowl. Sprinkle with the lime juice, and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir lightly to combine. Spoon an even amount of avocado into the bottom of 6 large martini or wine glasses. Top avocado with melon salad; garnish each salad with a lime slice.
Reviews
I kept everything the same. It was delicious! I wish my fruit was sweeter. I will use the dressing for other salads.
Loved this salad! Made this during a girls weekend, and substituted cucumber for watermelon and parsley for cilantro, because of personal preferences. Will make it again and again!
This was way too tart and the flavors did not go well together.
this sounds wonderful – wish I could forward it to my daughter – will send her the info so she can join
I made this last night and it was AMAZING! The highlight if the dinner party. I ended up taking some if the onion out because it seemed the ratio was too heavy onion but the flavors, textures and presentation made this dish perfect. Will definitely be serving again.
Very good! I just searched the data base for the unusual combination of ingredients I had, and this was what came up! So nice for a change of pace from green salad or fruit salad!
Great summer salad. Being cilantro is a semi-acquired taste I’ve also done this sans avocado substituting lemons for lime/juice, fresh basil for cilantro, & sweet Cherubs (grape tomatoes, halved) for avocado. But I personally loved the original just the way it is. Many possibilities with fruits, herbs, & juices though. Thank you for a wonderful summer salad that’s out of the norm. Will use this for catering also 😉
Very tasty, great summer salad, nice presentation. Be sure not to toss the avocado too much at the end or it will mush up. I had a guest ask for the recipe and I will be making this again so I’d say it’s a hit!
This was refreshing. I made according to the recipe. I think next time I would forgo the avocado as it just didn’t “fit” in for me. Excellent change of pace.
This was a hit. Pretty, colorful, and refreshing. Although it is involved to make, most of it can be prepared hours ahead and assembled at the last minute. This is the most interesting salad I’ve ever made or tasted. I put our salads in rather large margarita glasses, and it was gorgeous and impressive.
This was a hit. Pretty, colorful, and refreshing. Although it is involved to make, most of it can be prepared hours ahead and assembled at the last minute. This is the most interesting salad I’ve ever made or tasted. I put our salads in rather large margarita glasses, and it was gorgeous and impressive.
Wonderful!!! I made it according to recipe and love it. Try it for something different! Thanks for sharing.
This recipe is a wonderful change of pace! I wasn’t sure if the onions, juice and vinegar would be a good combination with sweet melons, but it was terrific. My family loved it. I didn’t change anything other than 1/4 cup of store bought orange juice because I only had one orange on hand and could only get 1/4 cup of juice from it. I used the store bought juice to make it to the 1/2 cup the recipe called for. I also added a little more pepper because I love pepper! Will make this again and again!
Best fruit salad I have ever tasted! Festive, easy, wonderful.