LaShara Lashawn

Watermelon salad

After attending the supper club not only was I happy for my friends & full but I was inspired! I had mixed feelings, in my mind I was like “I would like the watermelon salad” or thinking that people will make jokes about me for saying that the watermelon salad was my favorite. Then I thought “so what!!!” Watermelon is good to me and despite the negative stereotypes about African Americans in this county it’s time that I embrace it more and there is nothing wrong with that.

So yes my favorite item on the menu was the salad! It was the smallest, most refreshing and beautifully plated item I had ever had. It was a watermelon salad, when I ate it I felt so happy and then I wanted more. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get more, and my friend wouldn’t let me eat off their plate so I just had to enjoy what I had.

In February I stopped eating all meat and I began looking for new recipes to try and I knew I’d probably be eating more salads. My usual salads are festive but this time I wanted to try my hand at a watermelon salad! I wasn’t going to fight for the recipe I had in December, but the internet would give me ideas for free.

After searching and drooling over photos I wrote down sometimes and headed to Sprouts. I crossed my fingers as I hoped to have picked a good watermelon because I surely don’t know what to listen for, colors to see, or what to feel for when picking a watermelon. It has to be a good one because what’s the point if its not? I got everything I needed from the store and headed home I was so excited, I was telling everyone about what I was about to try. I mean when was the last time you had a watermelon salad?

On my list was Mint which I eventually passed on because I eat all of my salad so if I’m not going to consume it then I won’t add it. After chopping everything and tasting the watermelon that was so juicy and sweet, I had to stop myself or I wouldn’t have anything for the actual salad I put everything in a bowl and mixed it together.

This salad was beautiful and tasty. I freaking did it!

A perfect refreshing salad for the summertime for sure. I realized that my urge to deny something as simple and healthy as a fruit because of a stereotype was rooted in black hate. There have been times where I wouldn’t eat or purchase a watermelon as if to say “that isn’t ME that’s them.” I was denying myself something I really did enjoy in an attempt to set myself apart. That was wrong of me.

It is things like this that have seeped into our everyday lives that we have to make a conscious decision and take a real look at within ourselves to correct and call out every time. This was an amazing recipe and is something I will surely have again and share with others.

If you have any other recipes to share I am open to trying them and giving my review.

Enjoy.

Ingredients: 1 Cucumber. 2 avocados, 1 mini watermelon, 1 red onion (use as much as you like), arugula, spinach, romaine lettuce, 2 limes, fetta cheese & Green Goddess vegan dressing.