cantaloupe, tomato & avocado salad

(Bringing this out of the old blog archives 2007.. as it is the time of year to enjoy this salad!) 
 
Cantaloupe is amazing right now.  perfectly ripe.  I wanted to do something different and use up some other ready to use produce.  The salad above is what resulted. and let me say....  mm-mm-mmm!

Initially, I used mint only.  But the enormous bouquet of basil sitting on my counter screamed to be added in.  The end result.. I loved it.  The cantaloupe, basil and crunchy sweet red onion combination is just amazing.  Really fresh.  Then adding in a ripe tomato, mint and avocado.. took this to a new fav height.  It’s so much better than the mango combination you usually see on menus.  The cantaloupe is so bright, juicy and fresh.. I hope you try it.

cantaloupe, tomato & avocado salad

1/2 of a ripe cantaloupe, seeded & cut into bite size

1 lg tomato, bite size pieces

1/2 red onion, cut into a small dice

10 basil leaves, roll and julienne

handful of mint leaves, coarsely chopped

3 T Balsamic vinegar

1 T extra virgin olive oil

1 avocado, cut into large bites

S + P, to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Toss together.  add avocado last.. so, they don’t get mushy from being over worked. S+ fresh cracked pepper to taste. 

serves 4