About
When the heat hits the street, it's time for some picnicking! With Summer Mediterranean Pasta Salad in tow, every plaid tablecloth party will be a success! Everyone loves the fancy farfalle pasta (you know, the bow tie variety) and when you add freshly chopped English cucumbers, juicy green bell peppers, and bright cherry tomatoes with an amazingly tangy Greek salad dressing... well, you just made the picnic a Mediterranean magical marvel. Summer will never be the same once you whip up this Summer Mediterranean Pasta Salad!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces farfalle pasta
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- kosher salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 English cucumber, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 shallot, chopped, can substitute 1/3 cup red onion, chopped
- 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled, plus more, to taste
Directions
Step 1 -In a large pot of salted, boiling water, add the farfalle pasta and cook it to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 2 -Drain the pasta and allow it to cool.
Step 3 -In a large bowl, add the lemon zest, the lemon juice, the red wine vinegar, the garlic, the oregano, the salt, and the black pepper and whisk to combine.
Step 4 -While continuing to whisk the lemon juice mixture, slowly stream in the olive oil and whisk until the mixture is combined and emulsified.
Step 5 -Add the cooled farfalle pasta, the cucumbers, the green bell peppers, the tomatoes, the shallots, the parsley, the capers, and the Kalamata olives to the dressing mixture and toss to coat.
Step 6 -Add 1/3 cup of the feta cheese to the salad mixture and gently toss to coat.
Step 7 -For the best flavor, cover the salad and transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
Step 8 -Before serving, add the extra feta cheese, as desired.
Step 9 -Toss the salad mixture and serve.
