Heirloom tomato and melon salad

Ingredients

1 large shallot, thinly sliced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Kosher salt, to taste
1 to 2 heirloom tomatoes, 
sliced 1/4-inch thick
Maldon salt or other sea salt, to taste
2 cups watermelon chunks
2 cups zatta melon chunks (or cantaloupe or other melon)
1 cup small cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup purslane or baby spinach leaves
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
Juice of 1 lemon 
2 tbsp. olive oil 
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 oz. ricotta salata, Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano, shaved, for garnish

Directions

Combine shallots and vinegar in a bowl with a pinch of kosher salt. Allow to sit 30 minutes or up to 2 days in the refrigerator.

To serve, arrange tomato slices on a plate. Sprinkle with Maldon salt. In a large bowl, toss together pickled shallots, melons, cherry tomatoes, purslane, thyme, lemon juice, olive oil and kosher salt to taste. Taste for seasoning and add more lemon juice, olive oil or salt, if needed. Top tomato slices with melon mixture. Sprinkle with more Maldon salt and pepper. Garnish with ricotta salata.

Serves 4