Fresh From the Farmers Market: Watermelon, Blueberry and Basil Quinoa Salad
Forget boring quinoa, this recipe is flavorful and rich with key vitamins and nutrients. Even though watermelon is 92 percent water, it is packed with vitamin A and vitamin C, not to mention it has more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable. Blueberries also provide many health benefits, as they are rich in antioxidants, vitamin K and vitamin C. Both watermelon and blueberries contain vitamin B-6, which is important for cardiovascular, digestive, immune, muscular, and nervous system function. Basically what I am trying to say is, this recipe has super-awesome benefits for your health and is delicious!
You can find watermelon, blueberries and basil at your local farmers market throughout the summer. In Michigan, blueberries are ready to harvest from mid-July to the end of August, watermelons are ready to harvest from August to October and basil blooms naturally midsummer.
This recipe was featured on WZZM, as part of their Fulton Street Farmer’s Market series.
Photo credit: Alyssa Hadrych, A Healthier Michigan, Jeff Potter via Flickr
Ingredients
- ½ cup red quinoa, rinsed
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups watermelon, cubed
- ½ cup blueberries, fresh
- ¼ cup sundried tomatoes, packed in olive oil
- 1 Tbsp of the sundried tomato olive oil
- 1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 3 tbsp slivered almonds, lightly toasted
- ¼ cup feta cheese or gruyere cheese, cubed
- Salt and pepper to taste
Watermelon, Blueberry and Basil Quinoa Salad
Instructions
1. Bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add in rinsed quinoa and simmer, covered for 15 minutes.
2. Fluff quinoa with fork and set aside to cool.
3. In a large bowl, toss the watermelon, blueberries, sundried tomatoes, basil, toasted almonds and cheese.
4. Add in the cooled quinoa, sundried tomato olive oil, salt and pepper and toss.
5. Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition information per serving (about 1 cup):
Calories 197.3
Total Fat 7.7 g
Saturated Fat 1.4 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 2.5 g
Cholesterol 6.3 mg
Sodium 173.5 mg
Potassium 160.5 mg
Total Carbohydrate 27.3 g
Dietary Fiber 3.3 g
Sugars 8.7 g
Protein 6.1 g
Vitamin A 7.4 %
Vitamin B-12 2.0 %
Vitamin B-6 7.8 %
Vitamin C 16.4 %
Vitamin E 10.3 %
Calcium 6.1 %
Copper 5.9 %
Folate 1.9 %
Iron 8.9 %
Magnesium 7.6 %
Manganese 13.1 %
Niacin 2.8 %
Pantothenic Acid 2.8 %
Phosphorus 18.0 %
Riboflavin 33.2 %
Selenium 2.2 %
Thiamin 6.5 %
Zinc 3.4 %
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs
Recipe from Love. Life. Eat.
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