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Cantaloupe, Cucumbers, Lime, and Mint

Cantaloupe cucumbers lime and mint from 'Salad Freak.'
Photo by Linda Pugliese

One summer day out in the Rockaways, Lauryn read an article about melons from a 1992 issue of Saveur magazine out loud in an Australian accent. It was one of the most relaxing days of all time. Just say it in your head right now. Meah-lin.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 6–8 as a snack

Ingredients

1 small, exceptionally ripe cantaloupe
2 Persian or other small cucumbers, or 1 large English cucumber
1 cup mint leaves
2 limes
Large pinch of your favorite chile powder, such as Tajín seasoning
Flaky salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut the ends of 1 small, ripe cantaloupe so it has two flat surfaces. While it's on one of its flat surfaces, cut the rind off the melon, trying to lose as little flesh as possible. Cut the melon in half, scoop out the seeds. Cut in half again, and thinly slice.

    Step 2

    Shingle the melon on a platter (on top of ice if you can; if not, chill just the melon and cucumber on the platter, covered in the fridge, for an hour or so before serving). Thinly slice 2 Persian or other small cucumbers on an extreme diagonal and snuggle the slices into the melon. Scatter 1 cup mint leaves on top. Squeeze a little lime juice over it, and cut the rest of the limes into wedges for serving. Sprinkle with a large pinch of chile powder (depending how spicy you like it) and a good amount of flaky salt.

The cover of the cookbook, Salad Freak, by Jess Damuck
Reprinted from Salad Freak: Recipes to Feed a Healthy Obsession by Jess Damuck, published by Abrams. Text © 2022 by Jess Damuck. Photography by Linda Pugliese. Buy the full book on Amazon or Bookshop.

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