Italian Confetti Salad Recipe

Picture this: you’re about to dive into a vibrant bowl of Italian Confetti Salad, where every bite bursts with the freshness of summer, even if the sky’s looking a little gloomy. 🌿✨ Whether you’re impressing your friends at a potluck or just treating yourself to a kaleidoscope of flavors, this salad is your go-to for that blissful taste of the Mediterranean in your kitchen. 🥗🎉

I adore preparing dishes that are both colorful and flavorsome. My Italian Confetti Salad is no exception.

It is a medley of juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and sweet bell pepper, all harmonizing so beautifully with the rich taste of mozzarella pearls that I could almost serve it as an appetizer. Thankfully, the ribbon of fresh basil I tied around this not-so-simple salad constitutes enough of a segue for me to get to the dressing.

And this salad has a dressing (which is a good thing): a simple yet effective emulsion of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and the kind of farm-fresh, heart-healthy good fats that let us live our Italian salad dreams.

Ingredients

• Cherry tomatoes: Vibrant and sweet, rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.
• Cucumber: Refreshing and hydrating, low in calories, good for digestion.
• Bell pepper: Crunchy and colorful, high in vitamins A and C, boosts immunity.
• Red onion: Adds sharp flavor, contains quercetin, supports heart health.
• Black olives: Briny and savory, provide healthy fats and antioxidants.
• Mozzarella pearls: Creamy texture, source of calcium and protein.
• Fresh basil: Aromatic herb, contains essential oils, enhances flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup pitted black olives, sliced
• 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

1. Begin with the preparation of the vegetables. Take the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. Then, take the cucumber and dice it. Next, do the same with the bell pepper—cut it into nice, even pieces. And as for the red onion, make sure it is chopped as finely as possible.

2. In a large salad bowl, mix together the halved cherry tomatoes, the diced cucumber, the diced bell pepper, and the finely chopped red onion.

3. In the bowl of a large salad, add the sliced black olives and the mozzarella pearls.

4. Rip the fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces and mix them into the salad.

5. In a tiny basin, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano, and whip them together to form the dressing.

6. Add salt and pepper to season the dressing to your liking. Whisk it together until it’s nicely mixed.

7. Pour the salad dressing over the salad components in the large bowl.

8. Lightly mix the salad so that all the components are thoroughly dressed.

9. Sample the salad and tweak the seasoning if it requires more salt or pepper to enhance its flavor.

10. Immediate serving is recommended, but if you need to, you can cover the dish and refrigerate it for up to 30 minutes; this will only allow the flavors to meld together better. When you’re ready to eat, go ahead and dig into your Italian Confetti Salad!

Equipment Needed

1. Cutting board
2. Chef’s knife
3. Large salad bowl
4. Small mixing bowl or basin
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Whisk
7. Salad tongs or large spoon for mixing
8. Salad serving bowl or platter
9. Plastic wrap or a bowl cover (if refrigerating)

FAQ

• Q:Is it possible to use cheese types other than mozzarella pearls? A: Feta cheese or cubed provolone can be excellent substitutes.
• Q:How long will the Italian Confetti Salad keep in the refrigerator? A: The optimal way to consume this salad is within a window of 2-3 days after its initial preparation. To maximize storage time, keep it in an airtight container.
• Q:Q: Can protein be added to this salad? A: Absolutely! Excellent choices for added protein are chickpeas, shrimp, or grilled chicken.
• Q:Can red wine vinegar be replaced with something else? A: Yes, you can replace it with either apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
• Q:Is it possible to make this salad ahead of time? A: It is permissible to prepare the constituent parts ahead of time, but for optimal freshness, it’s recommended that the salad be dressed just before serving.
• Q:What happens if I have an aversion to olives? A: You can skip the olives or replace them with something else, like capers or artichoke hearts. You might also consider simply halving this next dish as a way to get creative and enjoy it without the undesired ingredient.

Italian Confetti Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

1 cup cucumber, diced: Substitute with zucchini or celery for a crunchy texture.
1 bell pepper, diced: Roasted red peppers or a poblano pepper make a slightly different, but delicious, addition. And if you’re looking for an even bigger flavor punch, try these out-of-this-world techniques for roasting red peppers.
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped: Use shallots or green onions for a milder taste.
1/2 cup pitted black olives, sliced: Green olives or Kalamata olives offer a delicious alternative.
1/2 cup mozzarella pearls. Try feta cheese or bocconcini for a delicious twist.

Pro Tips

1. Enhance the Dressing Consider adding a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the dressing for an extra depth of flavor and a slight tang.

2. Add a Creamy Element For a creamier texture, you can mix in a tablespoon of Greek yogurt with the dressing, which will add a subtle creaminess and a bit of protein.

3. Herb Infusion Toast the dried oregano in a dry pan for a few seconds before adding it to the dressing. This will bring out its natural oils and enhance its flavor.

4. Chill Your Ingredients For a refreshing salad, chill your vegetables in the refrigerator before assembling. This ensures that the salad is crisp and revitalizing, especially on a hot day.

5. Flavor Boost with Citrus Add a splash of fresh lemon juice to the dressing to brighten all the flavors in the salad and give it a refreshing zing.