Watermlon, Canteloup, & Honeydew Salad with Lime and Rosewater Syrup

Armaan swatted the gnats away from his face for the third time, while flooding the atmosphere with the sound of his infectious giggling. The sun stroking his wispy, caramel colored hair with her warm golden fingers, as he ran barefoot through the thick blades of green grass, on a balmy and sticky, Florida afternoon. A delicate breeze was blowing in from the east, rustling the nearby tree branches, but nothing strong enough to help him cool down. Cheeks flush with color, hair damp from perspiration; he darted and dashed from one end of the yard to the other, making the geckos scamper to find a new cool and shaded refuge. Orange and black spotted butterflies flapped their ethereal wings with purpose as he chased after them, making him curious about the new fluttering beauties that teased him so.

After an hour of intense exertion, I was able to acquire his consent to bid adieu to this backyard oasis, and move back into the house, where he could rest and consume some delicious fruit salad.

My version in a honeydew bowl

A watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew salad, marinated in a lime, and rosewater syrup. I had prepared this head-turner of a dish before going out on our afternoon outing, and now the melons were bulging with the sweet and aromatic vinaigrette. Each bite was exquisitely refreshing, quenching our thirst with every bite. I had seen Giada DeLaurentiis make a similar dish, where she used a melon baller to scoop out their delicate flesh and served them in an emptied watermelon shell. I loved the esthetically pleasing nature that the circular shapes created, and so rather than my usual cubed version, I opted for the melon baller.

From left: honeydew, watermelon, & cantaloupe

Some ingredients for syrup: persian limes, mint, & rose water

Armaan grabbed his ergonomically shaped spoon inside his soft and doughy two-year-old fingers, biting into each piece with sheer excitement. Bliss. We both had a couple of bowlfuls, stopping at every other bite to giggle at some invisible object he was pointing to, or a funny face that one of us had decided to make.

Everyone has an idea of what heaven is like, that afternoon; I believe I got a glimpse. 

Ingredients

¼ watermelon
1/2 cantaloupe, seeded
1/2 honeydew, seeded
2 tablespoons freshly chopped mint leaves plus whole sprigs, for garnish
2 limes juiced (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water heated until sugar dissolves, cool)
1/8 teaspoon rose water
feta cheese cubed for garnish

Directions

Scoop the contents from the watermelon, honeydew, and the cantaloupe using a melon baller.

Add to a blender the chopped mint, lemon juice, simple syrup, and rosewater.

Blend until smooth.

Add the melons to a bowl of your choice and add the vinaigrette.

Toss to combine.

Garnish with the mint and feta to taste.