Watermelon Salad

Epcot’s Watermelon Salad

At the Walt Disney World Resort, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival chefs have chosen some fun dishes to encourage youngsters to try something new as part of Disney’s TRYit campaign.
TRYit is part of Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living initiative, partnering with parents to inspire kids to try new foods and new activities. Encourage your little ones—and even your bigger ones—to try something new with this refreshing Watermelon Salad.

Ingredients

Balsamic Vinaigrette
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons finely diced shallots
2 tablespoons roasted garlic
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pickled Onions
1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons grenadine syrup
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 pound red onions, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rings
Watermelon Salad
4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
3 cups baby arugula
1/4 cup white balsamic vinaigrette
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup pickled onion
1/4 cup balsamic glaze
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Preparation

Balsamic Vinaigrette
Blend white balsamic vinegar, shallots, garlic, honey, and lemon juice in a blender until well combined. With blender running, slowly drizzle in olive oil. Blend until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Pickled Onions
If using frozen raspberries, thaw. Purée raspberries in a food processor. Pour purée through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard seeds; set puree aside. Combine raspberry purée, water, sugar, grenadine, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar. Add onions; stir to coat, then remove from heat. Set aside 20 minutes.

Watermelon Salad
Divide watermelon among plates. Toss arugula with white balsamic vinaigrette in a medium bowl and lightly season with salt and pepper. Top each portion of watermelon with arugula. Top each serving with 2 to 3 pickled onion rings, then sprinkle with feta. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Cook’s Note
Balsamic glaze can be found in most supermarkets in the oil and vinegar aisle. To make your own, place 2 cups balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and simmer until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 40 minutes.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. All recipes are the property of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., and may not be reproduced without express permission.