Watermelon and Blueberry Salad with Feta

 

It's Fourth of July next weekend...time to roll out the red, white and blue. Betsy Ross thought the same thing designing our flag back in 1776. Despite historical paintings showing a bunch of toothless seniors sewing the  flag, dearest Betsy was only 24 years old when she created the flag.

She chose red as it represents hardiness, valor and blood shed in the pursuit of freedom. White symbolizes purity and innocence. Blue was chosen for justice, vigilance and perseverance. Many suggested that she just stole the colors from the Union Jack. And then, there are pragmatists like me, that figured she picked those colors simply because red and blue are the longest lasting dyes.

Instead of admiring the red, white and blue....I'd like to ask you to eat the red, white and blue. This is a quintessential summer fruit salad. Not only will the colors look spectacular on your fourth of July table...this salad, with its explosion of sweet and tart....is the perfect complement to grilled hot dogs, brats and burgers.

INGREDIENTS
3  cups (1 pound) diced watermelon 

1 pint blueberries

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 cup (5 ounces) diced feta cheese

2 tablespoons mint leaves, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the first 6 ingredients into a large bowl. Toss to mix thoroughly. Divide among serving plates. 
2. Garnish each plate with chopped mint. Serve.

Pairing: Mom, apple pie and cold beer

Betsy Ross was indeed just 24 when she created the American flag. But she wasn't the only spring chicken involved in the birth of our country. Check out the ages of our founding fathers on July 4, 1776: James Monroe...18, Aaron Burr...20, Alexander Hamilton...21, James Madison...25, Thomas Jefferson...33, John Adams...40, Paul Revere...41 and George Washington...44. The only exception was Benjamin Franklin, who was absolutely prehistoric at the ripe old age of 70. He was able to mitigate that perception in later years after he married Catherine Zeta-Jones.