Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Vastasa Salad: A Palermitan Salad Bursting with Flavour
A wonderfully fresh Sicilian summer salad brimming with new potatoes, green beans, tomatoes and olives – perfect for warm, sunny days.
📖 What is it
A wonderfully fresh Sicilian summer salad brimming with new potatoes, green beans, tomatoes and olives – perfect for warm, sunny days.
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 300g new potatoes
- ✓ 200g green beans
- ✓ 1 red onion
- ✓ 250g tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- ✓ 100g mixed green and black olives
- ✓ dried oregano, to taste
- ✓ extra virgin olive oil, to taste
- ✓ white wine vinegar, to taste
- ✓ Trapani sea salt
- ✓ freshly ground black pepper
📊 Nutritional Information
Let yourself be whisked away by Mediterranean scents with the Vastasa Salad, where the crispness of summer vegetables meets the robust punch of olives and oregano, offering a true taste of Sicilian warmth and tradition.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Rinse the new potatoes and green beans. Boil the potatoes whole, skin on, and cook the beans until just tender in salted water.
- 2
Drain and set aside to cool, then peel the potatoes and cut into cubes; chop the beans into bite-sized pieces.
- 3
Thinly slice the red onion and soak in cold water for a few minutes before draining.
- 4
Chop the tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes and combine in a bowl with the green and black olives.
- 5
Add the potatoes, beans, and onions to the tomato and olive mixture.
- 6
Dress generously with extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Give everything a good mix.
- 7
Allow the salad to rest in the fridge for at least 10 to 15 minutes before serving to let the flavours blend beautifully.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For a flavour boost, add some rinsed capers or diced sun-dried tomatoes, which lend a vibrant, tangy note.
- •
Turn this salad into a hearty main dish by stirring in well-drained tuna in oil or chunks of fresh ricotta for a creamy, protein-rich touch.
- •
Use a large salad bowl to gently combine the ingredients, helping to keep the vegetables’ texture intact – choosing fresh new potatoes and crisp green beans makes all the difference.
- •
Swap out the potatoes for cooked chickpeas for a vegan-friendly twist that adds extra protein without losing the dish’s Mediterranean character.
- •
The magic of this recipe lies in its lightness and harmonious blend of simple, authentic flavours—the very heart of Sicilian cooking.
📦 Storage
- • Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 24 hours for the best freshness.
- • Avoid freezing this dish to preserve the crispness of the vegetables and delicate aromas.
- • Give it a good stir before serving to reincorporate any olive oil that may have settled on top and to refresh the flavours.
🍷 Pairing
Vastasa Salad pairs wonderfully with Sicilian white wines like Grillo or Inzolia, which highlight its fresh, savoury notes. Alternatively, try a Ligurian Vermentino or a French Sauvignon Blanc to bring out the herbal nuances of the dish.
I wholeheartedly encourage you to whip up this charming Sicilian salad at home—it’s a delightful way to celebrate fresh, simple ingredients bursting with sunshine. Whether served as a light lunch or as part of a summer spread, it’s sure to bring a cheerful, Mediterranean vibe to your table. Do give it a go, and don’t forget to share it with your nearest and dearest – after all, some dishes are just made for sharing and savouring together!
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