A salad is an easy way to get your greens, but let’s be honest, if you don’t play around with the ingredients, they can be quite boring and your least favorite dish to prepare. Whichever flavor profile you’re craving, using Italian ingredients will ensure your side dish or featured entree will be rich in taste. Liven up your salad routine with bold Italian-inspired salads. From simple plates to something hearty and substantial, America Domani has you covered with a collection of Italian salads that are super easy and most importantly, buonissima!
Caprese Salad
There are few dishes that embody Italian pride more than Caprese salad. The red of the tomato, green of the basil, and white of the mozzarella represent the flag of Italy. Traditionally, this salad is made with slices of fresh tomato and fresh mozzarella, sprigs of basil, and dusted with salt and pepper in a layered circular pattern. If you want to add more flavor to this colorful dish, drizzle olive oil or a balsamic glaze on top for an exciting twist.
Pasta Salad
Are you looking for the perfect dish to include on your summer dinner menu? Without a doubt it’s pasta salad. Grab pancetta, your favorite pasta shape, fresh mozzarella, sweet corn, cherry or grape tomatoes, celery, basil, and oregano. The flavor profile of this easy recipe will be loved by all. For the finishing touch, America Domani loves to mix pasta salad with The Original Recipe from Reed’s Italian Salad Dressing for its zesty taste.
Antipasto Salad
There are few things Italians love more than an antipasto platter so mix it up for your next dinner party and turn it into a salad. In a mixing bowl add iceberg lettuce as the crunchy base with small mozzarella balls, Genoa salami, tangy pepperoncini, and green olives for a savory mixture. Pour over extra virgin olive oil and season to taste. This is easy to prepare and will hit all of the marks with your guests.
Garbanzo Bean Salad
Loaded with texture and protein, garbanzo beans or “ceci” are the rockstar ingredient in this medley of Italian flavor. Rinse and drain the garbanzo beans before adding them to a large bowl - this will be used as your serving bowl and where you’ll add in the other ingredients. Add diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onion and olives. If you’d like to add a hearty ingredient, feel free to use potatoes. Mix in extra virgin olive oil or our favorite Italian dressing until well incorporated. Top with arugula for a delightful garnish.
Sicilian Escarole Salad
Transport yourself to the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea with this simple and savory side dish. Escarole is a gorgeous leafy green from the chicory family that adds Sicilian flair to any raw salad. Roughly chop cleaned escarole leaves and place them in a large bowl with some capers and olives to include natural salt flavors. Add quality red wine vinegar and your favorite extra virgin olive oil as the dressing and give your salad a proper toss. Don’t forget to season to taste.
Insalata di Pesce
For Italian Americans, seafood salad is very special and is sure to make its annual appearance on Christmas Eve. However, this dish is delicious any time of year. The combination of calamari, mussels, and shrimp is light, refreshing and showcases the power of simple ingredients. Boil calamari for roughly 50 minutes and place it on the side. Next, add the mussels to boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes. Once the mussels are ready, remove them from your pot and add in shrimp to cook for another 10 minutes. After all of the fish is boiled, combine it into one mixing bowl. Add in chopped celery, carrot, parsley, and extra virgin olive oil. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours, allowing the flavors to marinate. Season to taste and gently stir a dash more extra virgin olive oil with a squeeze of lemon.
AJ Forrisi
Assistant Editor for America Domani, AJ Forrisi is a Brooklyn-based writer and photographer. His work focuses on food, travel, sports, landscapes, and urban scenes. You can find him on Instagram @aj.photo.works.