Watermelon Jicama Salsa {Carnival Breeze + Curaçao}

posted on April 20, 2016 by Brenda

Enjoy this sweet and juicy Watermelon Jicama Salsa as a dip for nacho chips or a topping on your favorite tacos!

Watermelon Jicama Salsa from afarmgirlsdabbles.com

I’ve always been a fan of mixing together sweet and savory flavors, and cannot resist a fresh fruit salsa when it comes to tacos, nachos, and grilled meats and fish. Watermelon, pineapple, peaches, and mangos – these are some of my favorite fruits to incorporate into a salsa. Last year I experimented with a couple ground cherry plants in the garden and was treated to an incredible cherry tomato and ground cherry salsa when August rolled around.

This Watermelon and Jicama Salsa is similar to one my family enjoyed while on vacation this past winter. Once I tasted it, I had to have every single day thereafter, all week long. And then our girls got hooked on it, too. I knew I had to come up with my own rendition once we got back home. Give this recipe a try, and then join us in our love for watermelon salsa!

* This post is sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line.

Watermelon Jicama Salsa from afarmgirlsdabbles.com

I recently shared how much fun we had with the food on our Southern Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Breeze, and how we liked to frequent the Blue Iguana Cantina for breakfast and lunch. It was there that we fell in love with their watermelon jicama salsa.

Watermelon Jicama Salsa from afarmgirlsdabbles.com

Nachos and tacos aren’t even necessary to enjoy this salsa, I soon found out. When we ate at the ship’s regular buffet, I’d simply run by the taco bar and spoon some of the salsa onto to my plate and eat it like a fruit salad. Yes, that good!

Watermelon Jicama Salsa from afarmgirlsdabbles.com

This salsa is sweet and juicy, with fun crunchity bites from the jicama. The fresh lime juice and zest add great acidity, and the red onion and cilantro round it all out to make you feel like you’re really eating a salsa. Use it as a nacho dip or try one of my family’s favorite meals – this carnitas recipe – and load up some taco shells. Or you could just eat it this salsa as a salad. I surely won’t be the one to judge you on that one.

Print Recipe

Watermelon Jicama Salsa

Yield: 5 to 6 cups salsa

Ingredients:

4 c. diced seedless watermelon (try to get the pieces fairly small, about 3/8″ in size)
1-1/2 c. diced jicama (cut the same size as the watermelon)
2 tsp. seeded and minced jalapeno pepper (or more, to taste)
1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 c. finely minced red onion (or more, to taste)
1/2 c. freshly squeezed lime juice
zest of 1 lime
1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Directions:

In a medium-large bowl, fold together watermelon, jicama, jalapeño, cilantro, red onion, lime juice and zest. Adapt the ingredients to your liking, adding more jalapeño and onion if you like a bit more of a kick. Sprinkle salt evenly over the top and fold again to combine. Serve at room temperature or chilled. This recipe can easily be prepared earlier in the day – and I actually think it’s better after it has chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours, letting all the flavors mingle. Serve with tortilla chips, tacos, or any of your favorite Mexican dishes.

Recipe inspired by our Southern Caribbean cruise on The Breeze with Carnival Cruiseline.

Watermelon Jicama Salsa from afarmgirlsdabbles.com