Sicilian Salad Recipes

SICILIAN TOMATO & ONION SALAD

Steps:

• Cut tomatoes into bite size pieces.
• Sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper.
• Peel a cut onion in half vertically.
• Along edge of open side, "sliver" cut onion and add to tomatoes.
• Add the rest of ingredients and toss lightly.
• Marinate for at least an hour.
• Serve with Italian bread, provolone cheese and hard salami (or other Italian meats.).

SIMPLE SICILIAN SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.

SICILIAN SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the melon in half through the width and reserve half for another use. Peel the other half of skin and the white pith, and then dice the flesh into 2cm pieces and put in a bowl along with the chicory leaves, season with salt and pepper, and mix in the vinegar.
• Put a frying pan over a medium heat and toss in the pistachios, dry cooking for a few minutes, tossing, until they are fragrant and have started to release their oil. Season liberally with salt, roughly chop and mix into the watermelon.
• Fold in the pecorino and add the groundnut oil and fennel fronds. Briefly mix again and arrange so you can see all the elements. Serve.

SICILIAN POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place potatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a Dutch oven; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 12-15 minutes. Drain; rinse with cold water. Pat dry., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add beans; cook, uncovered, just until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Drain; immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry., Peel and cube potatoes; sprinkle with remaining salt and the pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl. Add beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, onion and 3/4 cup basil leaves. Whisk together oil, vinegar and garlic. Drizzle over vegetables; toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining basil.

SICILIAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse, and toss in 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Set aside.
• Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat, and add the remaining olive oil. Mix in the garlic, onion, and bell pepper. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
• In a small bowl, combine the tomato paste and water. Mix well. Add the tomato puree, wine, fresh herbs, and seasonings to the skillet. Continue to simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the zucchini and green beans, and cook for a few minutes until softened. Remove from heat.
• Mix in the sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and olives. Add the pasta and stir until everything is well combined. Chill completely for about 2 hours before mixing in the cheese and garnishing with the basil leaves. Serve.

SICILIAN CHOPPED SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.

SICILIAN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine arugula, lettuce, celery, onion, tomatoes, olives, and capers in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with sea salt, then toss. Drizzle with vinegar and toss again.

SICILIAN CHUNK VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• Steam green beans over pasta water if preparing the above recipe, or simmer beans in 1-inch of boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain green beans, run under cold water to cool off and chop them into thirds. Combine all salad ingredients in a bowl and toss. Dress salad with vinegar, oil, salt and pepper and serve.

FRESH SICILIAN MARINATED CALAMARI SALAD

Steps:

• Wash Squid well and cut Body into 1/2 inch slices (rings) and depending on the size of the squid halve tentacles lengthwise, if on the small side leave whole.
• In a large Stock Pot add water with salt and bring to a boil. Place Squid in pot and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the squid is firm, do not cook too much or it will come rubbery.
• Put the squid in ice water to prevent further cooking.
• Drain the water and pat the squid dry
• Place in a large mixing bowl and add the Olive Oil, Vinegar, Sea Salt, Pepper, Garlic and Parsley and Celery and mix well. Let marinate for a few hours or better overnight. Serve with Lemon Wedges

SICILIAN HARVEST SALAD

Steps:

• Put the raisins in a small bowl and pour boiling water over them to cover. Let stand until plump and soft, about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Put the raisins, grapes, apricots, rosemary and onion in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice and stir in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Separate the radicchio into leaves, saving the heart for another use. Tear into bite size pieces and add to the dried fruit mixture along with the spinach. Toss well. Divide among 4 plates and top with the prosciutto, if using. Scatter the pine nuts over the top.
• Frying rosemary on the branch removes its slightly soapy, bitter flavor so you can use more. Heat 1-inch oil in a deep saute pan to 350 degrees F. Deep-fry the rosemary for 30 seconds and drain on paper towels. Strip the leaves off the stems and crush the leaves in the paper towels to remove any excess oil. Mince and store in a clean, tightly sealed container. Use the fried rosemary to make a seasoned salt by adding it to a mixture of black pepper, dried lemon zest and salt.