We have combined two of Southern Africa’s favourite snacks to make the refreshing biltong and watermelon salad. It is perfect for the Summer months. We love biltong so much and if you don’t believe it, just have a look at our biltong risotto, biltong salad, and biltong stew recipes.
What is Biltong?
This is a dried cured meat strongly associated with South Africa. It is found in other countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Much of the meat’s history is attributed to the Dutch settlers in South Africa. However the drying of meat as a preservation technique has been practiced in several parts of Africa for the longest time. This is not always associated with biltong. Commercial and fancy packed biltong is almost always spiced. And Ground coriander grains add to the deliciousness of this meat. In Botswana we refer to biltong as segwapa.
Watermelon
We all know what watermelon is but I can’t tell you how important melons and related fruit are to countries like Botswana. We call it legapu over there. Watermelon itself originates in West Africa but is found all over the world today. There is a fruit that looks exactly like watermelon. It is evern sweet like watermelon except it has a light yellow to white flesh inside. We call this lerotse in Botswana. It is often cooked with different milled grains to make a porridge like bogobe jwa lerotse. I have got to be honest with you. I do not like watermelon much. But I can tolerate honeydew and rock melon.
Herbs: Mint or Basil
A watermelon salad with feta cheese and mint is quite popular. And this concept was half of the inspiration for today’s recipe. I think it could also be a delightful treat with basil. And now that I live in Nigeria, efirin leaves, also known as scent leaves would also go perfectly with this.
Recipe Inspiration
I mentioned the watermelon and feta salad before. But I was also inspired by melon with parma ham or prosciutto. I pulled the two ideas together and created a simply Southern African recipe inspiration. This is so simple. Can I even call it a recipe? Therefore I give you biltong and Watermelon Salad.
To Make The Biltong And Watermelon Salad
You will need some watermelon, 100g biltong slices, mint leaves and olive oil (optional). Set the watermelon on a platter then sprinkle over the mint leaves. Surround the platter with the biltong and serve.
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