Here, I create watermelon “sushi” by chopping the fruit into bite-size pieces and then marinating the pieces in an Asian-style sauce.
Yield: 2bowls
Prep Time: 10 minutesmins
Cook Time: 20 minutesmins
Total Time: 30 minutesmins
Ingredients
For watermelon poke
2cupschopped watermelon
2Tablespoonsreduced-sodium soy sauce*
1Tablespoonrice wine vinegar
½Tablespoontoasted sesame oil
1 to 2teaspoonslime juice
½teaspoonlime zest
For bowl assembly
1cupcooked brown rice or soba noodles
1cupshredded red cabbage
½mango, sliced
½cupthinly sliced cucumber
½avocado, sliced
Optional toppings: sesame seeds, lime juice
Ingredient Details to Know
* Tamari or coconut aminos also work
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together the watermelon poké sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Add the chopped watermelon to a large, wide bowl; pour the sauce over the top and mix to coat all the pieces. Let it sit and marinate at least 20 minutes. If all of the pieces aren’t submerged in marinade, toss it around every few minutes.
While the watermelon is marinating, chop the veggies and fruit.
Assemble the bowls by adding the ingredients in pretty piles around your plate, saving the watermelon for last. Drizzle the leftover watermelon marinade over the noodles and other ingredients as a sauce.
Garnish with optional sesame seeds and a squeeze of lime juice, if desired.
Notes
• Poke (which translates to "chunks" or "slices") is a Hawaiian raw-fish salad traditionally made with sushi-style ahi tuna. It could also be made with marinated salmon, cooked shrimp or even tofu.• You can opt for pre-cut fruit and vegetables, making prep a breeze.• Can be made ahead of time and assembled right before eating (marinated watermelon lasts 3-4 days)Here are some tips on how to pick the perfect watermelon:• Look for a firm and heavy melon with a strong and even stripe pattern and no bruises.• Gently tap the fruit. If the pitch sounds deep and hollow, it's likely riper.• Look for a dark yellow/orange field spot— the darker the spot, the sweeter and more flavorful the melon is.
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.