Mix up your salad routine with this visually striking Kiwano Melon, Smoked Trout and Avocado Salad.
Spark lively conversation when you serve this unique Kiwano Melon, Smoked Trout and Avocado Salad. Your loved ones will adore this flavor-packed salad at your Mother’s Day brunch or luncheon.
If you are new to this crazy looking tropical fruit that looks more like a cartoon pet than a fruit, Kiwano Melon (also known as a horned melon) comes from the cucumber and melon family. This exotic fruit, native to Africa is now being grown in California, thanks to Melissa’s Produce.
Inside the Kiwano’s spiky orange skin is a vibrant green jelly-like pulp. To me, the taste is like a refreshingly fruity mix of banana, cucumber and melon. Others also mention tasting notes of kiwi, passion fruit and lime. No matter what flavors you discover in this wonderfully weird fruit, be assured that every mouthful is a delightful experience.
This pulp is so beautiful and bright it demands attention, and I can’t decide if it is more delicious when eaten fresh, or used in drinks, or as a foil in savory dishes and desserts.
If you haven’t yet tasted the Kiwano melon, know it is easy to find, and rush right out there to get one. You’ll be bowled over by everything about it, mostly its multi-fruit flavor.
Kiwano Melon, Smoked Trout and Avocado Salad
This unique Kiwano Melon, Smoked Trout and Avocado Salad is served right in a Kiwano Melon shell. Making it a show-stopper at your next meal.
Ingredients
- 2 Kiwano melons
- 8 oz. (227g) smoked trout
- 2 large avocados peeled, pitted and diced
- 1 English cucumber peeled and diced
- 2 oz. (57g) shallots diced
- 3 Tablespoons sherry vinegar
- Pepper to taste
- Piment d’Espelette or Chile Lime Seasoning Blend
Instructions
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Cut the Kiwano melons lengthwise. Scoop out the pulp into a bowl. Use a small sharp knife to cut any membrane attached to the shell. Reserve 1/2 cup pulp for garnish. Reserve shell.
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De-bone trout, and flake with a knife. Add to bowl of Kiwano melon pulp.
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Add avocados, cucumbers and shallots.
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Toss with sherry vinegar and pepper to taste.
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Scoop salad into Kiwano melon shell, top with remaining pulp and sprinkle with Piment d’Espelette and serve.
I do hope you check out this exotic melon and make this delicious Kiwano Melon, Smoked Trout and Avocado Salad.
Kiwano melon also pairs delightfully with scallops.
Check out my recipe for Seared Scallops with Kiwano Melon and Ginger Vinaigrette
Great conversation starts, when a dish made with Kiwano Melon arrives at the table.
…and then, she paused for thought.
The kiwano looks cuter and better than it tastes. Love the beautiful presentation!
Thank you, I really enjoyed working with the Kiwano Melon and enjoyed the taste. It plays well with other flavors as well.
Wow, gorgeous! Whole Foods for the melon?
Thank you. Whole Food, Pavillions, Ralphs & Vons all carry Kiwano Melon here in California. Ask your produce manager at your local grocery story if you don’t see them.
Well there’s a delightfully Suessian melon salad! GREG
LOL, that is so true! I am a huge fan of Dr Seuss and I think he would approve of this one.
This looks fabulous! I’ll have to track one down to try it. I love what to did with the melon to create this salad. And the chile addition sounds perfect.
Thank you Chef Mimi! I do hope you can find them, try asking your produce manager. They are very easy to find in LA.
Love smoked trout. Great idea to pair with Kiwano and creamy avocado.
Thanks Patricia! It really is a wonderful combination and I hope you enjoy it as much as well do.
I love this weird looking melon and what you’ve done with it!
Thank you Susan, it is such a fun fruit to work with!
What a fun salad, Cathy! I have never had a Kiwano melon, but will look for them. I am also looking for fresh trout to smoke… this will be wonderful if I can do that. Will keep you posted.
Wow you are going to smoke your own trout, you are my hero! That would make this salad off the charts!
I love the look of this weird fruit… looks like an animal getting ready for take off… and as usual… you have made the most delicious-looking meal out of this fruit! Thank you for your genius!
Yes, I have fallen in love with this wacky fruit. I do hope you will try it.
Iv’e already seen these fruits in some stors, but I thought they were mostly decorative, but now I’m curious to try them. The seared scallops with the kiwano melon sauce look just divine!
I do hope you try them, as they are such a fun fruit!
Stunning presentation, and the flavors would be amazing as well. I can just see this at a Hollywood Bowl outing! Perfection!
Thank you Christina. YES on the Hollywood Bowl outing!