Tomato Watermelon Salad with Hushpuppy Croutons

 

 

      Doesn’t this salad just scream summertime in the South?  This is based on a first course that I had at Noble’s Restaurant in Winston Salem, NC.  Their croutons were smaller but more hushpuppy is always a good thing.  I used Savannah Classics Original Recipe Hushpuppies found in the freezer section of the grocery, because 1) Who wants to deep fry in the summer and 2) They are really good!  I ended up having  to make a second batch because the kids ate the first before I composed my salads.  Also, I love to use the pinkish heirloom tomatoes in this recipe (Cherokee Pink, Caspian Pink) because some of the cubes are almost indistinguishable from the watermelon.

 

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5 cups watermelon (3/4 inch cubes, seeded)

1 1/2 pounds tomatoes (3/4 inch cubes)

3 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

back pepper

hushpuppies, prepared according to package directions

 

Combine the watermelon and tomatoes in a large bowl.  Sprinkle with sugar and salt and toss to coat.  Let this sit for 15 minutes and the fruits will release some juices.  Now add the onion, vinegar and oil, and stir it all together gently.  Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.  Toss once more and serve with hushpuppies and basil to garnish.  (serves 6)

(The Tomato/Watermelon recipe is based on one from the July 2007 issue of Southern Living)

 

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