Sunshine Salads - Seasonal, Sweet and Savoury
This is a wonderful time of year to enjoy fresh, colourful salads. The markets in Nerja and across the Axarquía are overflowing with seasonal treasures — juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sweet melons, oranges, mangoes, avocados, fragrant herbs, together with creamy local cheeses, crunchy almonds, raisins, and even jars of golden local honey.
Here, salads are never just plain. They’re vibrant, playful, and often bring fruits and vegetables together in surprising ways. From the Tuesday market stalls and from our own garden, the mix of produce is endless, and every bowl feels like a celebration of Andalusian sunshine.
Below are just a few of our favourite combinations — simple, fresh, and always delicious.
Tomato, Avocado, Melon & Greens
Ingredients:
1- 2 ripe tomatoes
1 avocado
¼ red onion, finely sliced
2 slices honeydew melon, cubed
A handful of mixed greens (rocket, spinach, or lettuce)
Fresh mint leaves
Tips: Add toasted almonds or crumbled goat cheese for an Andalusian touch.
Orange, Watermelon, Rucola & Queso Fresco
Ingredients:
2 slices ripe watermelon, cubed
1-2 large oranges, segmented
A handful of rucola (rocket)
100 g queso fresco (or local goat cheese)
Fresh mint or basil leaves
Tips: Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds or almonds for crunch.
Watermelon, Mint & Queso Fresco
Ingredients:
3 thick slices watermelon, cubed
A handful of fresh mint, torn
100 g queso fresco, cubed or crumbled
Tips: Keep chilled and serve with toasted sunflower seeds for extra bite.
Orange, Tomato, Mozzarella, Onion & Basil
Ingredients:
2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
1-2 large oranges, sliced or segmented
1 ball mozzarella, torn
¼ red onion, finely sliced
A handful of fresh basil leaves
Optional; add olives and/ or mango.
Tips: Best enjoyed with crusty bread to soak up the juices.
Goat Cheese, Tomato, Cucumber & Almond Salad
Ingredients:
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
½ cucumber, sliced
A handful of lettuce leaves
80 g local goat cheese, crumbled or sliced
A handful of almonds (toasted if you like)
A small handful of raisins
Mixed nuts (walnuts or hazelnuts are perfect)
Tips: Drizzle with a balsamic or orange vinaigrette for the perfect finishing touch.
Mango, Watermelon, Mint & Queso Fresco
Ingredients:
2 slices ripe watermelon, cubed
1 ripe mango, cubed
100 g queso fresco, cubed or crumbled
A handful of fresh mint leaves
Tips: Pairs beautifully with a lemon-honey vinaigrette or just a drizzle of local olive oil and a squeeze of lime.
Sunshine Vinaigrettes to Mix & Match
The dressing can make or break a salad — here are some simple favourites you can whisk together in minutes:
Orange Vinaigrette: Fresh orange juice, olive oil, sea salt, a splash of Jerez vinegar
Classic Balsamic: Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pinch of sea salt & black pepper
Lemon-Honey: Olive oil, lemon juice, local honey, sea salt
Garden Fresh: Olive oil, Jerez vinegar, chopped mint or basil, pinch of sea salt
Mercadona Shortcut: A ready-made vinaigrette, brightened with extra local olive oil
These are just a few samples of the endless salad combinations you can create here in Nerja. With the mix of seasonal fruits, fresh garden herbs, local cheeses, and crunchy nuts from the market, the variations are almost unlimited — and always very yummy.
For visitors from abroad, these fruit-filled salads are often a big surprise — and a big hit! There’s something joyful about discovering how well sweet and savoury flavours come together under the Andalusian sun.
👉 We’ll keep sharing more salad inspirations, seasonal tips, and easy recipes to bring local sunshine straight to your table.
