Mexican Street Vendor Fruit Salad

When I go over the border to Tecate or Tijuana, I like to get the cool, refreshing fruit salads offered on ice from many street vendors. The flavors of chili pepper, salt, and lime bring out the sweetness of the fruit and crispness of the cucumber.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tsp grated lime zest
• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/4 tsp coarse salt
• 1/4 tsp ground hot chili pepper (or to taste)
• 2 medium oranges
• 2 c cubed Casaba or honeydew melon
• 4 small Persian cucumbers, peeled and sliced

Directions:

1. Place lime zest, lime juice, salt and chili pepper in a large bowl and stir. Allow to stand while preparing fruit.
2. Peel oranges well and remove slices from their membranes. Remove any pits and place orange sections in the bowl with the lime mixture.
3. Add melon and cucumbers. Toss gently to coat everything in the lime. Serve immediately or chill it and use within a day. Serve with a sprig of mint or slice of lime.