The Quintessential Summer Condiment: Watermelon Pico de Gallo #FoodNFlix

So, he did not turn around and ask me to dance, but there was something about this image that reminded me of Dirty Dancing when Patrick Swayze gets Jennifer Grey to dance on a log! But I'm getting ahead of myself...

This month's Food'N'Flix event was hosted by Chef Sarah Elizabeth and her blog of the same name.You can read her invitation: here. She asked us to watch - or rewatch as is probably the case with everyone! - Dirty Dancing.*

On the Screen

Let me say that it disturbs me to no end that I now have to clarify: Dirty Dancing, the original one. Why is there a need to remake such a classic movie?!? Okay, it's not a classic in same sense of the Casablanca era of films, but it is a classic for anyone who was a teen in the 80s. Why ruin a classic? Back to the point with a brief summary...

The Housemans are vacationing in the Catskills. It's 1963. 'Baby', whose real name is Frances, wants to change the world, while her sister "just wants to decorate it." Baby is attracted by some music in the staff area and encounters charismatic dance instructor Johnny Castle. The staff camp world is raunchy, raucous, and a whole lot more fun than her moneyed society.

But it's more than a film about sex, class disparities, and first love affairs. It's about the liberating power of dance.

If you haven't seen it - the original, I mean - do! Actually, I can't say anything about the remake released twenty years after the original as I haven't seen it. I just object on principle.

Next month, Courtney at Fictional Fare is hosting us as we watch Second Hand Lions. I've never seen that. Have you? Back to this month's selection...

On the Plate

Surprisingly, there are many food references in this movie...

“Just put your pickle on everybody’s plate, college boy, and leave the hard stuff to me," spat Johnny to Robbie.

“Robbie, Baby wants to send our leftover pot roast to Southeast Asia, so anything you don’t finish, wrap up.”

“I didn’t blow a summer hauling toasted bagels just to bail out some little chick who probably balled every guy in the place.”

“Last month, I’m eating Jujubes to keep alive, this month women are stuffing diamonds in my pockets.” I actually did try to find these candies. Just because.

And, lastly, spaghetti arms...you can't dance with them.

I don't know why the scene of Baby and Johnny practicing on a log appeals to me so much. Perhaps it's sheer awe. It's difficult enough to walk across some logs, much less dance on them gracefully.

We do plenty of hiking across logs, as natural bridges, during our forays into nature. So, I considered some version of Ants on a Log, such as these!

But, instead, I wanted to make something with watermelon after Baby's awkward attempt to explain why she's in the no-guests-allowed area: "I carried a watermelon." When I was pregnant with R, we joked that I was carrying a watermelon.

I suspect we'll likely see lots of watermelon creations this month - it's a memorable quote and it is watermelon season, after all. While I considered, all sorts of sweet watermelon creations, including watermelon sorbet, I ultimately went for a savory. I've decided that watermelon pico de gallo is the quintessential summer condiment. It's so versatile, I've made at least four batches this month alone.

We used this salsa on...

Grilled Beef and Fresh Slaw Bowls

Lettuce Wraps with Black Beans and Beef

Grilled Chicken Soft Tacos

I even ate it straight from the bowl with a spoon. Shhhh...don't tell!

This is also an incredibly flexible recipe. I might try adding diced jicama for added texture or even fresh radishes for a piquant bite.

Ingredients

• 3 C seedless watermelon, diced
• 1/2 C onion, diced 
• 1 t jalapeno, diced - feel free to use more if you like it spicy
• 3/4 C fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 organic lime, juiced
• salt, to taste

Procedure

Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Let stand for at least 30 minutes before serving. That's it.

Use this wherever you would normally use salsa! Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for two or three days. But each batch won't last that long. I promise.

*This blog currently has a partnership with Amazon.com in their affiliate program, which gives me a small percentage of sales if you buy a product through a link on my blog. It doesn't cost you anything more. If you are uncomfortable with this, feel free to go directly to Amazon.com and search for the item of your choice.