Original recipe post from August 2018 updated with new pictures June 2020.
Should you walk into any Meyhane (A Turkish tavern) and ask the patrons who sip they're rakı and sway to Fasil - an ottoman / arabesque style music to describe the perfect food marriage, they'll surely tell you it's Karpuz & Beyaz peynir - White Cheese and watermelon.
White cheese should probably be thought of as a family of cheeses rather than one particular type because so many cheeses come under the label.
Super fresh almost spreadable, salted unsalted, matured and from cows, sheep and goats milk. Although you're more likely to find a mixture of sources rather than a 100% sheep or goats milk-white cheese.
Most if not all of them work well with watermelon but for me the ultimate cheese to place alongside this vibrant summer fruit is a matured Ezine. Ezine peynir is cheese made in the Ezine and surrounding areas of Izmir using mostly sheep's milk during the spring months.
Traditionally matured for 6 to 8 months this slightly salted manages to be both creamy and crumbly at the same time and seems to be a match made in heaven for the light cooling crunchy and satisfying watermelon.
For me the combination works wonderfully well with a sprinkling of fresh mint and dried pepper flakes (Pul biber), I also like a small splash of balsamic vinegar, pulling in all those components of a good marriage, sweetness, spice and the odd sour mood.
A refreshing combo of sweet juicy watermelon with cubes of crumbly soft salted cheese and cooling mint peppered with firey flakes. Perfect for BBQs, impromptu picnics and slow eating & drinking. Ezine is a matured White cheese,it can be replaced by any other firm salted white cheese. Watermelon is easier to cut if chilled first. The fruit can get watery if made to much in advance so it's best to prepare just before serving.
Trukish Watermelon & White Cheese Salad Karpuz Salatası
Category:
Mezes & Appetizers Breakfast Dishes Salads & Light Bites
Seasons
Cuisine Type
Turkish
Ingredients
Use around
1 Large Slice of watermelon 200 Grams Ezine white cheese Handful Fresh Mint leaves 1/4 Teaspoon Pul biber / Aleppo pepper flakes Trukish Watermelon & White Cheese Salad Karpuz Salatası Directions
Recipe notes
