Name: Watermelon, Halloumi and Za’atar Salad
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: One (8-ounce) block halloumi cheese, cut into 1/2-inch (12-mm) cubes; 1/2 cup pitted black olives, halved; 1 cup packed fresh green za’atar leaves (not chopped) (or use a combination of fresh thyme, oregano, with just a touch of marjoram); 2 shallots, diced; 1 tablespoon sumac; Juice of 1 lemon (about 4 tablespoons); Juice of 1 lime (about 3 tablespoons); 6 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon finely diced fresh chile such as jalapeño (optional); Sea salt; 3 pounds watermelon, seeded and cut into 1-inch (25-mm) cubes; 1 cup seedless black or red grapes (about 30 grapes); 1 large or 2 small cucumbers (about 7 oz), peeled and coarsely chopped

In a large bowl, combine the cheese, olives, za’atar, shallots, sumac, lemon juice, lime juice, oil, and chile, if using. Season with salt.

Arrange the watermelon, grapes, and cucumber in a large serving bowl, add the cheese mixture, and serve.

Recipe Testers' Reviews

Mardi Michels

This watermelon, halloumi and za’atar salad is lovely in warm weather! So bright and fresh! So many interesting textures and flavor contrasts and pretty customizable, depending on what other seasonal ingredients you have on hand.

Trisha T.

This watermelon, halloumi and za’atar salad just screams summertime. The juicy watermelon and salty cheese blend perfectly with the freshness of the herbs and slight acidity of the citrus. It's also a very forgiving salad and the proportions could be easily adjusted for taste, or even substitutions of some of the ingredients.

I could not find za'atar leaves, so I used a combination of oregano, marjoram, and thyme leaves. I think that I might just use oregano and thyme in the future, to suit my specific taste. I chose not to use the optional chile, but I could see how a little spicy bite could be delicious in this salad as well. I think that this is definitely a keeper.

Watermelon, Halloumi and Za’atar Salad