Cantaloupe Date Oatmeal with Mint-Melon Relish

These oats are ~classy AF~

This relish is like a dessert pico de gallo, with cantaloupe instead of tomato and mint instead of cilantro. The purpose of a relish is to add a strong flavor to a dish, and this does just that. It can guarantee maximum flavor and freshness, and it’s a fun way to spruce up a simpler oatmeal.

What you’ll need:

• • 1 cup cubed cantaloupe
  • 2 chopped and pitted dates
  • 1/4 tsp coconut oil (optional, but adds great flavor)
  • 1/4 cup milk of choice (coconut recommended)*
  • 1/4 cup quick cook steel-cut oats*
  • pinch of salt

• • 1/2 cup cubed cantaloupe
  • 2 fresh blackberries
  • 1 tsp minced mint leaves

How to make it:

1. In a small food processor, puree cantaloupe and dates (and coconut oil, if desired). The dates may not puree completely, depending on your equipment, but it doesn’t need to.
2. In a small saucepan, bring cantaloupe puree and milk of choice to a simmer. Add oats and salt and reduce to a low simmer.
3. While the oats are simmering, prepare the Mint-Melon Relish. Dice the cantaloupe and the blackberries into 1/4-inch pieces. (For me, I cut each blackberry into about 6 pieces.)
4. Toss cantaloupe and blackberries with the fresh mint.
5. When you’re pleased with the consistency of the oatmeal, transfer to a bowl.
6. Top with Mint-Melon Relish and another splash of milk.

Just an FYI:

In North America, the term “relish” can have confusing interpretations. So often, it’s used to describe that slimy, sour, chopped pickle condiment thrown on top of hot dogs at baseball games and summer grill-outs. In case that description was unclear, I am not a fan of that relish.

However, relish is actually a far more general term that describes any vegetable or fruit condiment that has been cooked, pickled, and/or chopped. Chutneys, for example, would fall under the relish umbrella, and so would this beautiful medley of diced cantaloupe and blackberries, tossed with some refreshing and summery minced mint leaves.

Because the definition is so vague, a relish can be either savory or sweet, or even a little bit of both. It doesn’t need onion. It doesn’t need pickles. It can be raw; it can be cooked. Chances are, you’ve had a relish before and didn’t even realize it was a relish. For example, Wikipedia cites both salsa and cranberry sauce as types of relish.

If you’re feeling lazy (and/or don’t want to buy mint leaves or blackberries), you could simply top with some diced cantaloupe. You could also skip the blackberries and just have chopped cantaloupe and mint, or you could skip the mint and have chopped cantaloupe and blackberries.