Watermelon Gazpacho

Brendan Murphy on July 6, 2016

By Chef Jed Demler

Gazpacho Ingredients:

  • 2 cups sweet, ripe watermelon
  • 1 cup diced tomato (1 large tomato)
  • 1/2 seeded and diced cucumber (about 1/2 a cucumber)
  • 1 jalapeno seeded and diced (keep the seeds if you want more heat – you can use Thai chiles or serrano as well for more heat)
  • 2 tablespoons diced red onion (1/4 of a small onion)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2-3 tablespoons sherry vinegar (red wine vinegar, balsamic, or even fresh lemon juice could be used)
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Garnish Ingredients:

  • Crumbled queso fresco, feta, or cotija cheese
  • Watermelon (I like to use an old-fashioned melon baller, but a small dice is just the same)
  • Finely chopped herbs (basil, dill, mint, tarragon, or chives could all work. Just sue what you have).
  • Flavored oil or vinegar

Directions:

  • In a food processor, puree the tomatoes and watermelon until smooth. Add the jalapeño, cucumber, and red onion and pulse until blended and combined (I like a bit of texture). Season with salt and pepper and sherry vinegar and while pulsing, stream in the extra virgin olive oil.
  • Transfer to a container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (the longer the better).
  • Garnish with crumbled cheese, herbs, watermelon balls, flavored oil (I like meyer lemon), and balsamic vinegar.