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Watermelon and White Cheese (Feta) Salad; Karpuz, Peynir, Ekmek

Watermelon and Turkish white cheese (or feta) Salad; Karpuz, peynir, ekmek

Watermelon and Turkish white cheese (or feta) Salad; Karpuz, peynir, ekmek

Watermelon, or karpuz, as we call it in Turkish, is a much loved summer fruit and my daughter’s favorite. I remember as a child, cooling the watermelon at my grandmother’s little fountain in her courtyard in Antakya (and we children dipping in and out of the fountain to cool down, along with the watermelon). We would eagerly wait for our cool slice of watermelon, and that heavenly very first bite into the sweet, refreshing fruit – happy days.

This is a typical, refreshing and delicious salad we Turks love. A very simple one too, with only watermelon, Turkish beyaz peynir, white cheese (or feta cheese) and a few fresh mint leaves in it. Ripe, juicy and sweet watermelon doesn’t really require any other dressing in this salad and complement the mildly salty white cheese or feta cheese very well. We love this salad as part of our summer Turkish breakfast, for lunch or as a side to grills. With fresh Pide bread, ekmek by the side, this watermelon and feta salad is one of the highlights of summer for me.

Beautiful flowers in Bodrum, Turkey

Beautiful flowers in Bodrum, Turkey

I am passionate about healthy, delicious Turkish cuisine; over 90 authentic Turkish recipes are included at my cookery book, Ozlem’s Turkish Table, Recipes from My Homeland. Signed copies now 30 % off for a limited time here and delivered worldwide including the US.

Afiyet Olsun, 

Ozlem

5.0 from 1 reviews
Watermelon and White Cheese (Feta) Salad; Karpuz, Peynir, Ekmek
 
Watermelon, karpuz is a much loved summer fruit in Turkey and this watermelon and feta salad is one of the highlights of summer for me. Ripe, juicy and sweet watermelon doesn’t really require any other dressing in this salad and complement the mildly salty white cheese or feta cheese very well. We love this salad as part of our summer Turkish breakfast, for lunch or as a side to the grills.
Author:
Recipe type: Healthy Turkish Salads
Cuisine: Turkish Cuisine
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 3 slices of medium, ripe and cool watermelon
  • 200 gr / 7 oz. Turkish white cheese, beyaz peynir or feta cheese
  • Fresh mint leaves to decorate
Instructions
  1. Keep the watermelon in the fridge for 2 hours to cool, prior to cutting.
  2. Slice the watermelon and cut the skin. Take out the large seeds in the watermelon (smaller seeds don’t bother us and we leave, you can take them out if you prefer).
  3. Cut the watermelon into about 1 in (2,5 cm) cubes or small wedges. Place the watermelon in a serving plate.
  4. Drain the juice of the Turkish white cheese or feta cheese and cut into small cubes (again about 1 in/ 2,5 cm).
  5. Gently toss the feta cheese and watermelon in the serving plate and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
  6. Serve immediately with fresh Pide bread or pita bread slices by the side. This refreshing salad is delicious as part of Turkish style breakfast or lunch. You can also serve watermelon and feta salad with grilled fish, meat and vegetables.
 

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12 Responses to Watermelon and White Cheese (Feta) Salad; Karpuz, Peynir, Ekmek

  1. seniordogsabroad July 27, 2015 at 2:16 am #

    Özlem’ciğim, We’re having quite a heat wave right now in Turkey so this dish really hits the spot. Cool and no cooking! Çook teşekkür ederiz, kendine iyi bak ve inşallah kısa zaman sonra, görüşürüzç Öptük. xoxo J

    • Ozlem Warren July 27, 2015 at 1:26 pm #

      Merhaba Jolee’cigim, I’ve heard about the heat wave at home – must say I am even looking forward to that one, with sunscreen on!: ) Glad you enjoyed the cooling water melon post, really look forward to seeing you both soon. Cok sevgilerimle, Ozlem xxx

  2. Peri's Spice Ladle July 27, 2015 at 5:33 am #

    Lovely summer specials with cool crunchy watermelon and soft cheese:) watermelon is very popular as street food during Indian summers too.

    • Ozlem Warren July 27, 2015 at 1:24 pm #

      Merhaba dear Peri, another common culinary delight between our cuisines : ) Such a refreshing treat in hot summer days, isn’t it? Have a lovely summer, many thanks for your note, Ozlem xx

  3. Alan July 27, 2015 at 6:25 am #

    as I gaze out of the window at the delicious rain and dark grey clouds, here in Birmingham I’m having no problem in imagining cool water melon – the feta is a little harder 😀

    • Ozlem Warren July 27, 2015 at 1:23 pm #

      Welcome to England, Alan – a bit rainy at the moment I am afraid, hope the sun comes out soon! Thank you for your note, I can just imagine the juicy karpuz – water melon you may get at Okcular : ) Cok selamlar, Ozlem

  4. BacktoBodrum July 28, 2015 at 7:31 am #

    The best thing to eat when it’s 40 degrees outside

    • Ozlem Warren July 28, 2015 at 9:32 am #

      Thank you BB, really is; refreshing, packed with flavor and cooling – just right for the heat wave!

  5. Cuisinedeprovence July 28, 2015 at 2:10 pm #

    Great combination! Just bought some watermelon at our market this morning – we have it for breakfast now it is so hot.

    • Ozlem Warren July 29, 2015 at 9:10 am #

      Thank you Barbara, hope you enjoy our favorite combination with water melon, have a lovely summer!

  6. Phil in the Kitchen August 1, 2015 at 10:32 pm #

    Excellent combination of flavours – provided you can find good watermelon, of course. Funnily enough a very similar combination (with local ingredients) is the favourite salad of friends of mine in Australia. I suppose it’s not surprising that good recipes turn up everywhere in the world. Have a great trip.

    • Ozlem Warren August 3, 2015 at 1:24 pm #

      Merhaba from Bodrum, Phil, many thanks for your note. A juicy, ripe water melon really is one of the best things in the heat, i wouldn’t be surprised to hear folks in Australia enjoying it too. My best wishes to you for the summer, Ozlem

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