Bella's Belly Blog

A Refreshing, Elevated Summer Salad Featuring CIAO!’s Sicilian EVOO

There’s nothing quite like watermelon in the summertime but this recipe takes your go-to fruit salad to the next level. Meet your new favorite summer dish: Yellow Watermelon “Pizza.” It’s fresh, colorful, a little tangy, a little sweet, and absolutely perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or even as a light lunch.

What makes this recipe shine is the balance of flavors, sweet yellow watermelon, creamy feta, fragrant mint, and crunchy candied nuts, all brought together by a drizzle of rich, high-quality extra virgin olive oil and a touch of balsamic glaze. 

Why I Love CIAO!’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

• IGP-Certified: This EVOO proudly carries the IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) certification, meaning it’s guaranteed to come from a specific region (in this case, Sicily) and adheres to strict production standards.
  Unfiltered & Cold-Pressed: You can taste the purity. CIAO!’s oil is unfiltered and cold-pressed to preserve its bold, grassy flavor and high nutrient content.
• Sicilian Heritage: Made from olives grown on 250-year-old trees.
• Thoughtful Packaging: The sleek green squeeze bottle is designed to protect the oil from light exposure and comes with a leak-free nozzle for easy, mess-free drizzling.

Serves: 4–6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• ½ medium yellow watermelon, cut into ½-inch round slices, then quartered
• ½ cup feta, crumbled
• Handful of fresh mint leaves, torn
• 1 lemon, juiced 
• 2 tablespoons CIAO!’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ¼ cup candied nuts (walnuts or pecans work well too)
• Balsamic glaze, to drizzle
  

Instructions:

1. Cut your yellow watermelon into ½-inch thick round slices, then cut each round into fourths to create “pizza” slices.
2. Arrange slices on a platter or wooden board.
3. Sprinkle each slice with crumbled feta, mint, and lemon zest.
   Drizzle generously with CIAO!’s extra virgin olive oil.
4. Top with candied nuts for crunch.
5. Finish with a light drizzle of balsamic glaze. Serve chilled.

Pro Tip: Make this recipe right before serving for the freshest flavor and best texture.