A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Yield: 6 servings. For the salsa: 1 cup peeled English cucumber, diced 1 cup cantaloupe, diced 1 cup honeydew, diced ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped ¼ cup lime juice

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Yield: 6 servings. For the salsa: 1 cup peeled English cucumber, diced 1 cup cantaloupe, diced 1 cup honeydew, diced ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped ¼ cup lime juice

Grilled Snapper with Melon Salsa

Yield: 6 servings.

For the salsa:
1 cup peeled English cucumber, diced
1 cup cantaloupe, diced
1 cup honeydew, diced
¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon lime zest
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

For the fish:
Vegetable oil
6 (4- to 6-ounce) snapper fillets (about 2 pounds)
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

For the salsa: Combine all of the ingredients in a large glass bowl and toss until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

For the fish: Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium high (about 375° to 425°) or a grill pan over medium-high heat and rub the grill or grill pan with a towel dipped in vegetable oil. Coat both sides of the fish with oil and season both sides with salt and pepper.

Place the fish on the grill and cook until dark grill marks form, about 3 minutes. Turn fish with sturdy metal spatula and grill until the fillets are just cooked through and opaque, about 3 minutes more.

Transfer the fish to individual plates, top each fillet with salsa, and serve.

Note: Snapper, grouper, and yellowfin tuna may be found in season during August.

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This story was published on Jul 19, 2018

Lynn Wells

Lynn Wells gained a fond respect and interest in cooking from her mother and Aunt Addie at the age of 8 in North Carolina. During college, Wells worked in a wide range of restaurants, from fine dining to family- owned. After graduating from UNC Greensboro with a degree in nutrition management and hospitality, Wells began a 21-year career in the nutrition department at Cone Health. In 2014, Wells started Thyme Well Spent Personal Chef Service, an in-home cooking experience for private clients, which continues today. Wells is also a food writer, food stylist, culinary consultant, and the recipe developer/writer for Our State.