Melon

Juicy summer melon with a salty-sweet crunchy bacon topping makes for a low-effort but universally crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Take sweet, juicy melon into the realm of dinner with a hit of Taiwanese black vinegar. (Chile crisp, fish sauce, and fried shallots help, too.)

In this unexpected take on panzanella, chunks of ripe melon take the place of tomatoes. But the unexpected star is the brine from the Peppadew peppers: Spicy, sweet, and tart, it combines with the melon's juices and soaks into the toasted bread.

Perfect as either a side salad or a cocktail hour snack platter, you’re going to want to keep serving this mix of complementary sweet and salty and crunchy and soft bites all summer long.

Don’t worry about removing all of the melon seeds in this take on the popular Mexican street snack—they’re edible and add a little crunch.

It’s two ingredients and the most refreshing thing you’ll drink this summer.

High in B vitamins, cucumbers both cool and calm you.

If you have a perfectly ripe melon—great! If you don’t, no worries. The salt, acid, and a bit of heat here will give life to lackluster specimens.

This recipe puts a spin on prosciutto and melon by swapping in smoked salmon for the salty dry-cured ham.

Cantaloupe bowl > bowl bowl.

This colorful salad packs a bit of heat by adding the jalapeño; it balances out the cooler flavors, but feel free to omit it.

There’s no law that says watermelon salads must incorporate feta. This renegade combination is at once sweet, tart, and savory—the kind of dish that’s as comfortable at the breakfast table as it is at a potluck.

Watermelon and prosciutto may seem like an unlikely pair, but the salty-sweet mix will make this your new go-to fruit salad.

The only way to perfect cantaloupe jelly? Just add sparkling wine!

Out of tequila? Never fear: Using vodka instead makes this watermelon margarita recipe just as delicious.

This no-cook salsa pairs sweet and juicy watermelon with smoky chiles. Looks like gravy, tastes like summer.

Watermelon's natural sweetness gets a little boost from agave syrup instead of refined sugar in this refreshing summer beverage.