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Fresh Watermelon Radish Salad with Bright Citrus Zest

fresh watermelon radish salad - featured image
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A crisp and colorful salad featuring thinly sliced watermelon radishes tossed with a bright citrus zest dressing, fresh mint, and optional crunchy seeds or nuts. Perfect as a light side or refreshing lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium watermelon radishes, thinly sliced
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • A small handful fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: toasted pumpkin seeds or slivered almonds for crunch

Instructions

  1. Rinse and dry the watermelon radishes. Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice them into thin rounds about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. Place slices in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Grate the zest from the orange and lemon using a microplane or zester. Cut the fruits and squeeze out the juice, straining out seeds. Combine zest and juice in a small bowl.
  3. Whisk together the citrus zest and juice with olive oil and honey (or maple syrup). Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
  4. Pour the dressing over the sliced radishes. Sprinkle chopped fresh mint leaves, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all slices.
  5. If using, sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds or slivered almonds on top for extra texture and nutty flavor.
  6. Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

Slice radishes thinly for best texture. Use fresh citrus zest for vibrant flavor. Adjust salt gradually to avoid overpowering the citrus brightness. Optional nuts or seeds add crunch. For vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup. Soaking radish slices briefly in ice water can soften them slightly without losing crispness. Dressing can separate if oil is added too quickly; whisk well to emulsify.

Nutrition

Keywords: watermelon radish salad, citrus zest salad, fresh radish salad, easy salad recipe, healthy side dish, vegan salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/fresh-watermelon-radish-salad-recipe-easy-bright-citrus-zest/