Watermelon Bites with Feta and Mint

We are blessed with a wonderful group of friends, and it seems there’s always a get-together or celebration of something…and sometimes nothing…just toasting to friendships.  You don’t really need a reason.  But, no matter the occasion, you can bet there will be food!  Most of the time, everyone brings an appetizer or dessert, and we just graze on a huge buffet.  A couple of years ago I ran across this super unusual and refreshing appetizer. The original was from Rachel Ray…love her!  And since, I’ve seen it pinned and posted many times.  I tweeked it just a bit to my taste.  The original used shallots, which I omitted.  And I added the balsamic glaze.  However, with or without the glaze it is fabulous.  The combo of flavors with the sweetness of the melon and the salty tang from the feta is a winner!  And then, the fresh mint comes in to brighten everything up.  It’s like a watermelon minty chewing gum…sort of!  LOL.  It does take a bit of time to cut and prep, but it can be done ahead of time the day of the party and stored in the fridge until party time!  And it is soooo worth it.  I’m tellin’ ya…you’ll be a rock star!  Nobody will be expecting this, but they’ll love it.  You start with a small watermelon…mine was called “mini” at my store.

By the time it’s cut into bite-sized cubes, you’ll have enough to fill a 13 x 9 inch container.  I use a disposable foil pan with a lid to transport it if I’m taking it to a party.  They look beautiful on a platter for serving…and you could plate them at the party…if you have time.  But, they’ll probably disappear before you have a chance to!  You’ll need to scoop out a “well” to fill with the cheese and mint mixture.

For this, I use these cute little spoons I got in a set one time…they’re for a “dash” or a “pinch”.  Cute, right?  No worries if you don’t have these…just use the end of a metal teaspoon.  Just make sure you don’t go all the way through the melon cube.

Now for the filling…I use a 4 ounce container of crumbled feta cheese.  Although it is already crumbled, there tend to be larger chunks that I need to break up so it will be easier to stuff inside the melon.  You can use the tines of a fork to break it up.  Chop up about 4 tablespoons of fresh mint really finely and mix it in with the cheese.

Then you’re ready to stuff the wells of the cubes!  And that’s it.  If you plan to use the glaze, I would simply take that along separately and add it at the last minute…or let guests decide if they want to drizzle it on or have them plain.

Ingredients

• 1 small watermelon
• 4 ounce container of crumbled feta cheese
• 4 T chopped fresh mint
• balsamic glaze for drizzling

Directions

Cut a small watermelon into bite-sized cubes.  Using the end of a small spoon, scoop out a well from each cube and set aside.  Meanwhile, stir together the feta and mint, breaking up any large chunks with a fork.  Using the same small spoon, fill each well with the cheese and mint mixture.  Store in fridge covered until serving time.  Optional:  Drizzle a bit of balsamic glaze on each cube just before serving.