📖 Instructions

1. First, gently rinse the watermelon, mango, red onion, jalapeño (if using), cilantro, and lime under cool water.
2. Next, using a sharp knife, carefully dice the watermelon and mango into small, uniform cubes. Aim for pieces about 1/4 inch in size to ensure a consistent texture throughout the salsa. Place the diced fruit in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Don't worry if the watermelon releases some juice; we'll address that later.
3. Peel and finely dice the red onion. You'll want about 1/4 cup of diced red onion for this recipe. If you're sensitive to the strong flavor of raw onion, you can soak the diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow it out. Drain well before adding it to the bowl.
4. If you enjoy a little heat, carefully remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño pepper. Finely mince the jalapeño and add it to the bowl. Remember, a little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and add more to taste. If you prefer a milder salsa, you can omit the jalapeño altogether.
5. Grab your bunch of fresh cilantro. Remove the leaves from the stems and give them a rough chop. Add the chopped cilantro to the mixing bowl. The cilantro adds a bright, fresh flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
6. Zest the lime using a microplane or zester. Be careful to only zest the outer green layer of the lime, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. Add the lime zest to the bowl. This will enhance the citrusy aroma and flavor of the salsa.
7. Juice the lime using a citrus juicer or by hand. Pour the fresh lime juice over the ingredients in the mixing bowl. The lime juice not only adds a zesty flavor but also helps to prevent the fruit from browning.
8. Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are evenly combined. Be careful not to mash the fruit while tossing.
9. Taste the salsa and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more lime juice for extra tanginess, more jalapeño for extra heat, or a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. Remember, you can always add more, but you can't take it away!
10. If the salsa is too watery from the watermelon juice, you can drain off some of the excess liquid or add a tablespoon of finely diced cucumber to absorb the moisture.
11. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salsa for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Chilling the salsa also helps to firm up the fruit and makes it even more refreshing.
12. Before serving, give the salsa one final gentle toss. Serve it with your favorite tortilla chips, grilled fish, tacos, or as a topping for salads. Enjoy the delicious flavors of summer!