Watermelon Bites with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette | Friday Night Bites

Summer and watermelon are one of those perfect combinations.  The warm air along with a crisp and cool bite of sweet watermelon is the ultimate in refreshment.  It just screams SUMMER.  Since we are in the midst of summer, I thought that I needed to create a Friday Night Bite to celebrate the season.

A natural pairing with watermelon is feta cheese.  The briny undertones and the creamy but dry texture will marry well with a bite of sweet watermelon.  I thought it would need a bit more flavor to give it the pizzazz it needed – jalapeno and lime would be a natural match.  This was the ticket to making this appetizer incredibly tasty.

Last Friday night, it was a rather warm evening and hubby and I sat outside with a glass of wine and these watermelon bites.  Hubby doesn’t lean towards watermelon – not that he doesn’t like it – it is just not a go to fruit for him.  Of course, I asked him what he thought of it after he tried it and he said that is pretty darn tasty.

I would recommend putting the vinaigrette on right before you are going to serve so the acid in the lime doesn’t break down the watermelon.  It is also a good idea to have every component chilled and then assemble for the perfect bite.  I would suggest serving this with a great French Rose or French Champagne.

Watermelon Bites with Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

Serves 16

32 One inch cubes of watermelon

16 rounds of ¾ Inch Feta Rounds (4 oz. Block of Feta)

Toothpicks

Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette

¼ Cup Fresh Lime Juice

Zest of One Lime

1 to 2 Tablespoons Minced Jalapeno (Seeds removed)

1 Tablespoon Honey

¼ teaspoon Salt

¼ teaspoon Pepper

Add all ingredients to a small mason jar and shake well.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Slice the feta ¼ inch thick slices and use a 3/4^th to one inch round cutter to make your feta circles.  Cut the watermelon into 32 one inch cubes OR purchase pre-cut watermelon.

On a platter, stack 2 cubes of watermelon and place a circle of the feta on each one.  Secure with a toothpick in the middle of each one.  Drizzle the vinaigrette over each one and serve.