While some argue about pineapple on pizza, social media is buzzing with a new snack — a club sandwich where two slices of watermelon replace the bread, reports infohub.kz.
The sandwich is juicy, light, and perfect for hot weather. The idea isn't new, but this summer it's enjoying a second wave of popularity. Users show how they substitute bread with thick watermelon slices and stuff them with cheese, greens, and other fillings.
In Almaty, ready-made watermelon sandwiches are already on sale. Options include the "Greek Watermelon" for 2,990 tenge — a classic with feta cheese, arugula, and balsamic flavor — and the "Watermelon with Horse Meat" for 3,990 tenge, a local exclusive.
Users are sharing recipes. The most popular version resembles a caprese salad: between watermelon slices, they place feta or mozzarella, arugula, basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, and drizzle with balsamic sauce. Some add pickles, olives, jalapeño, or prosciutto. The combination of sweet watermelon and salty cheese is well-known in Mediterranean cuisine, so many praise the taste.
Comments are divided, with the culinary "masterpiece" sparking debate. One TikTok user, madebynastiaa, shared a recipe: "Slice watermelon and feta into flat rectangles, and red onion into half-rings. On one watermelon slice, layer feta, red onion, arugula, drizzle with balsamic, add a pinch of salt, and top with another slice." Some commenters are skeptical: "So now it's trendy and you'll eat anything, huh?" and "Well, people have weird tastes." Others support it: "If you eat certain foods with watermelon, it tastes good — I do it myself. This looks tasty too."
Earlier, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture urged against buying early watermelons due to possible chemicals and growth stimulants. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov said Kazakh watermelons are safest to buy from late July through September.