Ingredients for two:
- Watermelon: 400g, chilled and cut into bite-sized cubes
- Cucumber: 1 medium (e.g., English or Persian cucumber), diced or thinly sliced
- Feta Cheese: 100g, crumbled
- Olives: 8 small black olives, finely sliced
- Salted Pistachios: 30g, coarsely chopped
- Fresh or Dried Mint: 1 small handful, leaves finely sliced or ½ teaspoon dried mint
- Dressing: 2 tbsp orange juice, 2 tbsp mango juice, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and a tiny pinch of sea salt
Let’s prep!
Place the chilled watermelon cubes and cucumber slices into a medium salad bowl. Gently toss them together so the colors mix evenly. Next combine the orange juice, mango juice, extra virgin olive oil, and a tiny pinch of salt in a small glass or bowl. Whisk vigorously with a fork until emulsified. Drizzle the tropical juice dressing over the watermelon and cucumber mixture. Ideally, cover and let it chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Just before serving, scatter the crumbled feta cheese, finely sliced olives and chopped salted pistachios evenly over the top. Finish with fresh mint slices. Serve immediately while crisp and cold.
Did you know: Watermelon and cucumber both consist of roughly 90–95% water, making them the ultimate thirst-quenching team. Their natural crispness delivers an immediate cooling effect on warm days, while the sweet, juicy profile of the melon balances the clean, green crunch of the cucumber. Adding rich feta, olive and crunchy salted pistachios creates a bright contrast against the sweet fruit and citrusy mango-orange dressing, elevating a simple salad into a vibrant tasting experience.
Zeronimo Grüner Veltliner as a magical pairing partner
Our non-alcoholic Zeronimo Grüner Veltliner, with its signature pepperiness, vibrant acidity, green apple aromas and subtle stone-fruit notes, is the perfect pairing combination to this refreshing salad. The tropical orange-mango dressing echoes the soft fruity undertones of the Grüner, while the fresh mint and cucumber match its herbal traits. Finally, the crisp acidity of the wine cuts cleanly through the creamy richness of the feta, the salty pistachios reset your palate with every sip. The umami from the black olives give the wine aromas an additional kick.
About Katja Bernegger
Katja is the founder and visionary behind Zeronimo, Austria’s premier alcohol-free wine brand. A passionate home cook with deep expertise in non-alcoholic wines and food pairing, Katja started crafting custom recipes for the Zeronimo line right in her own kitchen, blending her love for great food with her industry know-how.
