Athena Melon Raita

Savory, versatile, fruit raita .Quick and easy Indian fusion recipe . Perfect side dish for a bbq or an Indian meal.

Savory, Indian fusion recipe for melon and fruit raita with Greek yogurt, mint and smoky cumin. easy versatile recipe.
Athena Melon Raita

Have you seen the Athena melons in the market? I bet you cannot miss them. They look like ginormous cantaloupes. What I like about this exceptionally sweet, fragrant musk melon is that even at its peak of ripeness, it maintains its firm texture and juicy consistency. Plus it offers aromatics of flowers and honey.

Just around the same time last year, I got one home ….true confession ….I did not know that they were called Athena melons back then….I called it a ginormous cantaloupe :). Either way, ย the nourishingย Terrific Triple C lassi with coconut milk I made with it last year was trulyย delectable!

Gluten free, vegetarian, nourishing lassi made with cantaloupe, carrots, honey and coconut milk! Vegan option recipe,
Terrific Triple C Lassi – Gluten free, vegetarian, nourishing lassi made with coconut milk! Vegan option in recipe

This year I ย decided to use the sweet musk melon in a savory fruit raita. The sweetness of the melon juxtaposes splendidly with the tangy plain Greek yogurt and the smoky cumin. The cooling raita can be served as a side dish for any bbq . It also compliments any spicy entrรฉe and can be served with naan, chapatti bread or rice and dal.

Plus it is super easy! I used blueberries and grapes, as that is what I had at home. You may add any fruit of your choice or make it with just the Athena melon.

Athena Melon Raita

Ingredients-

  • ยพ cup plain Greek yogurt. I used fat free Kirkland Greek yogurt.
  • ยฝ teaspoon roasted cumin seed powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon chat masala
  • ยฝ teaspoon sugar
  • salt to taste
  • 1 ยฝ cups cubes or balls of the peeled and seeded Athena melon
  • ยฝ cup blueberries +grapes
  • 4 fresh mint leaves cut into a chiffonade
  • Hot sauce or paprika (optional)

To make the Athena Melon Raita-

  1. Ina bowl, whisk together the yogurt, cumin seed powder, chat masala, sugar and salt.
  2. Gently fold in the melon balls or cubes, grapes, blueberries and the mint.
  3. If using, top with a few drops or hot sauce and/or dust with paprika and serve.

Enjoy the Athena melon Raita at your bbq- I like that it is a cooling, versatile raita side dish that can be served with all kinds of cuisines! So I am taking it to Angie’s Fiesta Friday co-hosted by the lovely duoย ย Judi @ cookingwithauntjuju.comย andย Sadhna @ Herbs, Spices and Tradition.

Have a fabulous long weekend!

Love,

โค

Sandhya

36 thoughts on “Athena Melon Raita

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    1. Yes I do have many vegetarian recipes on Indfused! So happy you visited.
      It gave me a chance to read your wonderful blog too. Keep writing! You write so well.

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    1. Thanks so much Judi! The raita tastes so good but I was not sure how I could present it to look good too…..so happy to get your compliment ๐Ÿ™‚
      Thanks for co-hosting FF!

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    1. Thanks Laura. I had not eaten a melon raita either but thought the flavors complimented each other so well! I would add a crunchy apple in it next time too ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Marisa,
      Chaat/ chat masala is different from garam masala. Chat masala is tangy- it has black salt, coriander seed powder, cumin seed powder as some of its ingredients. Some have dried raw mango powder added for that tangy taste. Chat masala is available in Indian grocery stores and keep quite well for months at room temperature
      Hope you are enjoying labor day weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much Loretta! Yes the contrast of sweet and tart does taste good. I see these melons for a brief week or two at the end of summer.

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  1. Amazing recipe Sandhya. I hadn’t heard of this variety of Cantaloupe before. This is a nice idea for Rajita. Thanks for sharing. And I noticed the signature๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much Ana ๐Ÿ™‚ These cantaloupes are in the market for just a week or two at the end of summer and although I know they are way too big for my family to eat, I cannot resist them as they are super sweet.

      Liked by 1 person

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