Grilled Watermelon and Feta Skewers

Many of my childhood summers were spent at my Grandparents home.  It was usually hot and dry and the afternoons were begging for either a run through the sprinkler or playing tag with the water hose.

To beat the heat, and most likely for some afternoon entertainment, my grandfather would bring home giant watermelons.  He’d head to his back porch and slice them up and then he’d bring out the juicy pink slices to the back yard and share with all of his grandkids (he had quite a few!).  We’d stand around the yard enjoying our watermelon treat and then inevitably, someone would start a watermelon spitting contest.  I’m not sure who would start it but it was usually one of the boys.  Whoever won the contest got the last piece of watermelon.  I have a feeling that Grandpa might have had the most fun with the seed spitting contest.  😉

I can’t imagine summer without watermelon.  I buy a watermelon at our farm market every week and in only a few days it’ll be gone.  I cube half the watermelon for salads and snacking and the other half I slice and grill or add to fruit smoothies or granita’s.  I especially love to grill watermelon on skewers.  Once the watermelon has a few nice grill marks, I let it cool and then thread cubes of feta in between the watermelon.  A drizzle of honey and a few mint leaves finish the dish beautifully… sort of like a grilled fruit and cheese platter only it’s on a skewer.

There are so many creative and delicious recipes for watermelon, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite watermelon recipes from a few of my favorite food websites:

Chile Lime Watermelon Wedges from Alaska from Scratch  http://www.alaskafromscratch.com/2014/06/19/chile-lime-watermelon-wedges-cilantro/

Watermelon Jicama Salad from Taste Love and Nourish  http://www.tasteloveandnourish.com/2014/07/16/watermelon-jicama-salad-queso-fresco-honey-lime-vinaigrette/

Watermelon Tequila Granita from Pink Patisserie  http://pinkpatisserie.net/2014/07/watermelon-tequila-granita.html

Wishing you a fun and festive weekend… and let there be loads of watermelon seed spitting contests!

Karista

Grilled Watermelon and Feta Skewers with Fresh Mint

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

21-25 1-inch cubes of watermelon

12-15 1-inch cubes of feta cheese

Fresh mint leaves

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup honey

8-15 small skewers or 8 large skewers

Directions

If you are using wood skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to using.

Pre-heat the grill to 350F.

Thread the watermelon on 2-4 large skewers. Brush the watermelon with olive oil and when the grill is hot, place the watermelon skewers on the grill for about 3-4 minutes, turning the skewers every few minute or so. You only want the watermelon on the grill long enough to sear the outside of the watermelon and heat the sweet juices.

Transfer the grilled watermelon skewers to a baking sheet or platter. Let them cool. When the watermelon has cooled, gently remove them from the long skewers. Using fresh skewers, small or large, thread watermelon and feta on the skewers; alternating until the skewer is filled. End with a sprig of mint.

Place the watermelon and feta skewers on a serving platter and drizzle with honey and serve.

*created for Home By Design Magazine June/July 2015