Watermelon Salsa with Mint

This salsa tastes like summer. Watermelon, mint, and lime combine for a colourful and refreshing dish that is perfect for summer BBQ’s. Serve with pita crisps, tortilla chips, or as a topping for grilled chicken or fish.

Ingredients

3 cups watermelon, cut into small pieces
1 cucumber, cut into small pieces (about 1.5 cups, no need to peel if the skin is thin)
½ cup chopped green onion
¼ cup chopped mint
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional, or to taste)
Zest and juice of 2 limes (about 1/4 cup lime juice)
1 tsp. maple syrup or honey
¼ tsp. ground pepper
1/4 tsp. salt or to taste

Preparation

Combine the watermelon, cucumber, green onion, mint, and jalapeño pepper.
In a small cup or jar, combine the lime juice and zest, honey, pepper, and salt.
Before serving, combine the dressing with the chopped vegetables and fruit. (The salsa is best served fresh, so don’t make it too far in advance. As it sits, the liquid is drawn from the watermelon and cucumber).

Makes about 4.5 cups.

Nutrition Notes

Watermelon’s vivid pink hue signals the presence of lycopene, a carotenoid with potential disease-fighting properties. Other compounds in watermelon may benefit health: glutathione, an antioxidant, helps keep your immune system in top form and has been studied for its cancer-prevention potential.

More recent research suggests that a compound in watermelons might improve your athletic prowess. Watermelon contains the compound L-citrulline: a recent study suggests that L-citrulline can improve oxygen uptake and high intensity exercise performance in recreational athletes, in a manner similar to the nitrates in beet juice. The research is very preliminary, but there are many good reasons to consume watermelon! Beyond the refreshing taste, it is rich in vitamins A and C and potassium, and other studies have found health benefits. For example, recent research has shown that L-citrulline or watermelon might help relieve sore muscles, and help lower blood pressure.