Watermelon and feta salad with verjus dressing for a super-easy summer salad.
Ver-what?
Verjus isn't a mainstream ingredient, and yet it's been around since the Middle Ages when it was used as a sauce ingredient, tenderizer, and condiment. It's pronounced ver-jue, translated as "green juice", and is extracted from unripened grapes.
Verjus is much softer than the brash edges of vinegar, think green apple tartness instead, but is often used as an alternative. What I particularly like is that less oil is needed in a vinaigrette when I use verjus. A lot less. Instead of using the typical 3 - 4 parts oil to vinegar, for example, in this salad I went with ½ part oil to verjus. That's a huge difference in calories.
I've used both Terra Sonoma's VerJus out of Sonoma County (California), and Navarro's Verjus, a Mendocino, California winery, and they're both wonderful. Add it to salad dressings, sauces, braises, or the water used to simmer artichokes or whole grains for a wine-like infusion of flavor that's not overly sweet.
As a note, verjus is non-alcoholic and only lasts about a week in the refrigerator once opened, so use it lavishly.
Watermelon and Feta Salad with Verjus
Ingredients
- 1 small watermelon
- ⅓ cup feta cheese I use feta cheese from sheep's milk
- ⅛ cup 2 tablespoon mint leaves thinly slivered
- ⅛ cup 2 tablespoon basil leaves thinly slivered
- ⅛ cup 2 tablespoon pepitas (toasted pumpkin seeds)
- ¼ cup verjus
- 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cut away the green and white rind layers from the watermelon, and slice into 1-inch cubes. Lay on a serving dish.
- Cut the cheese into ½-inch pieces and spread over the watermelon pieces.
- Sprinkle the mint and basil on top. When I use basil in my garden, I toss on some basil flowers too. Add the pepitas.
- Combine the verjus and oil, and drizzle over the watermelon salad. Finish with a light pinch of salt and ground black pepper.
- Let sit for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Fat: 13.4 g (Saturated Fat: 3.9 g)
Sodium: 195.9 g
Potassium: 174 g
Carbs: 13.1 g
Protein: 5.4 g
apuginthekitchen
I have used verjus a long time ago and had forgotten about it. I love how you use it here on the watermelon salad, a stroke of genius, you are right it's much less acidic or harsh than vinegar. Watermelon and feta is one of my favorite combinations.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Verjus is something that's not much on any of our radars, I think. And yet, it's really versatile!
cheri
Hi Susan, love this salad, I find watermelon is always so refreshing, love it combined with the feta, will have to check out the verjus, sounds delicious!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
This is one of my favorite summer salads. I had it at a summer picnic a few years ago, and then tried to duplicate it for myself 🙂
Marlene @Nosh My Way
Watermelon and feta are definitely a great combination.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Totally!!
Stacy
This is my favorite kind of salad, Susan! I know I would love the salty feta with the sweet watermelon since I always eat watermelon with a sprinkle of sea salt. Can't wait to try this!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Yes! A little spray of salt is the perfect way to finish the salad off! Thanks, Stacy!
Tara
I was wondering when I would see the watermelon, I think it has to be in the top 5 to bring to a picnic, perfect recipe!!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
When I think of summer, I think of watermelon 🙂 So I had to this to the picnic!!
Liz
What a stunning salad...the epitome of summer with the watermelon! And I need to track down some verjus to give it a try 🙂
The Wimpy Vegetarian
It's worth tracking down, Liz. It's with the oil and vinegars in our stores, so that's a good place to start! It's great for sipping too 🙂
Courtney @ Neighborfood
I have heard so much about this watermelon feta salad, but have yet to try it or make it myself. Looks like I also need to find some verjus! Thanks for the info on it!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
It's such a good partnership in flavors and textures, I think. And look for verjus with the vinegars in your store - that's where I find it here 🙂
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
YUM!! Watermelon and feta would taste sooo good together! Great salad 🙂
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks!!
Shaina
Love love love this salad. Watermelon and feta go together so perfectly!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I completely agree! I had this salad at a picnic a few years ago and fell in love with the flavors!
Martin D Redmond
Mmmm. I bet the verjus really set this off! I've had the Navarro verjus and it's great. I'll have to pick some up now that I know what to do with it besides drink it! Great looking recipe! Pinning!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I sip on Navarro's too - it's perfect! You would love this salad, I think, Martin!
Sarah
My coworker brought something almost identical to work on the last day of school, it looked amazing
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
How interesting...verjus! The same principle happens with rice vinegar. It is half the acidity, so you need far, far less olive oil in the dressing to balance it. Great tip! And I really want this salad at every picnic, party and potluck for the rest of my life.
Susan
I have never heard of verjus before but it sounds like something I'd like and this salad looks delicious.
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
A picnic isn't a picnic without watermelon!
Christy
This is one of my favorite summer salads, I've never tried it with the verjus. Can't wait to try your version!
Marion@Life Tastes Good
This is such a beautiful salad and it looks so refreshing! It cools me off just looking at your beautiful pic!!
laurasmess
We have an Australian cook/media personality called Maggie Beer who is a big advocate for the use of verjus (or verjuice as it is often labelled over here!). It's great, I've fallen in love with it! Love this gorgeous salad, the crunchy pepitas and herbs must add so much gorgeous complexity. I can't wait to try it xx
DB-The Foodie Stuntman @ Crazy Foodie Stunts
I've never heard of verjus so thank you for teaching me something new!
Choc Chip Uru
Verjus is so classy an ingredient to use, I just read Lauramess's comment but I was about to mention Maggie Beer as well 😛
This salad looks fantastic, the texture of feta and watermelon would be perfect!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
I always love a watermelon salad! So easy and relish!
Cindys Recipes and Writings
I can almost taste this, sweet watermelon and mild feta with verjus! Perfect!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons
I love any instruction to use something lavishly! I can't wait to get my hands on some verjus now. Definitely starting some research as to where I might be able to get some around here.
Love the combo of watermelon and feta, and the pepitas for crunch are so smart!
Terra
I keep reading recipes using watermelon in a unique way. I need to try watermelon in a new way for sure! Such a lovely refreshing salad! Hugs, Terra
mjskit
I've never heard of verjus. How very interesting!! Thanks for introducing a new ingredient. I love this salad and can't wait for watermelons to start showing up here. I make something similar with a little preserved lemons added in. Now I'm on the hunt for verjus .
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Verjus is worth looking for, and makes all the difference to this recipe. I'm working on alternatives if readers can't find it though. I'll post options once I have it nailed down.
Mary @ Fit and Fed
I have heard of verjus but never seen it for sale. It sounds perfect to go with fruit with its relative softness. I love watermelon and feta salad, just had one last week!