Primavera Pasta Salad

The Primavera Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish, perfect for spring and summer gatherings.

This delightful salad is an embodiment of freshness, color, and flavor. It typically starts with a base of pasta, often penne, fusilli, or farfalle, chosen for their ability to hold onto the flavors and textures of the other ingredients. The pasta is cooked to al dente perfection, ensuring it retains a slight bite, which is crucial for a good pasta salad.

The “primavera” in its name, Italian for “spring,” signals the use of a variety of fresh, seasonal vegetables. Common choices include crisp bell peppers in a mix of colors, sweet cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and broccoli florets, all cut into bite-sized pieces. Sometimes, thinly sliced carrots, peas, or asparagus spears are also included.

These vegetables are often lightly blanched or steamed, ensuring they are tender yet retain their vibrant colors and crisp textures.

An integral part of the dish is the dressing, which tends to be light and zesty to complement the fresh ingredients.

A typical dressing might be a mix of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and a selection of herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano, whisked together to create a harmonious blend of flavors. The dressing is tossed gently with the pasta and vegetables, ensuring each piece is coated with the aromatic flavors.

To add depth and a hint of creaminess, grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese is often sprinkled over the salad.

For an additional layer of texture and taste, toasted pine nuts or slivers of almonds might be added. Some variations of Primavera Pasta Salad also include chunks of mozzarella or feta cheese, adding a delightful creaminess that contrasts with the crisp vegetables.

The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility. It can be served as a refreshing side dish at barbecues and picnics, or as a light main course, perhaps accompanied by grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein.

Its colorful presentation, with the greens, reds, yellows, and oranges of the vegetables interspersed with the pasta, makes it as visually appealing as it is delicious. The Primavera Pasta Salad is not just a dish but a celebration of fresh produce and simple, yet satisfying flavors, making it a beloved choice for warm-weather dining.

Ingredients

°1/2 lbs. Favorite pasta

°2 cups of packaged broccoli flowers, small size pieces

°1 1/4 cup frozen peas

°1/2 Cup Brut Vegetable

°1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes

°1/3 cup roasted red pepper sliced or chopped

°1/3 cup coarse chopped olive

°1/4 cup Parmesan vegan cheese

°1 decidlemon wedges of avocado to serve

°Red pepper flakes to serve

+Dressing:

°1 tbsp perennial garlic

°2 teaspoons bassy dried

°1 teaspoon dried parsley

°1 teaspoon kosher salt

°1/2 teaspoon pepper

°1 teaspoon garlic powder

°1 tbsp Dijon mustard

°2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

°Juice 1 1/2 lemon

°1 teaspoon agave nectar

°1/4 cup olive oil

Preparation

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