Accent fresh watermelon with exotic flavors for a salad your friends will be raving about the rest of summer. Use this basic guideline to get started and then try your own innovations — But make sure to write down your recipe because people are going to be asking for it!

Serves 4-6

Ingredients 1 small watermelon cut into slices or bite-sized pieces, your choice

Zest of 4 limes Juice of 4 limes

1 bunch fresh mint, larger stems removed, and leaves lightly chopped

2 cups chopped dates

4 Tablespoons fresh ginger, grated or very finely minced

Other options: minced lemongrass, toasted nuts or seeds, sweet basil, lemon thyme, fresh fennel blossoms (shown) for their delicate, faintly licorice flavor. Directions Place watermelon chunks* into a large serving bowl Zest 4 limes and then juice them, sprinkling the zest and the juice onto the melon Add the chopped mint, chopped dates, and minced/grated ginger and gently combine.

*Note: if using watermelon slices, you will want to mix up all the other ingredients first and then pour them over the slices so the melon doesn’t break apart.