Description
Sicilian Cauliflower Salad brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate with zesty capers, fresh herbs, and a tangy olive oil dressing. Crisp cauliflower mingles with bold flavors, promising a refreshing side dish that delights palates and celebrates Sicily’s culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) red onion, thinly sliced
Flavor Enhancers:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Carefully steam cauliflower florets until they reach a tender yet crisp consistency, ensuring they do not become mushy. Quickly transfer to a colander and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process.
- Finely chop fresh parsley and thinly slice red onion into delicate rings, creating a vibrant base for the salad.
- Slice cherry tomatoes into halves, maintaining their juicy texture and adding bright color to the dish.
- Roughly chop kalamata olives to release their rich, briny flavor and disperse them evenly throughout the salad.
- Craft a zesty vinaigrette by whisking extra virgin olive oil with robust red wine vinegar, incorporating dried oregano for an authentic Mediterranean touch.
- Season the dressing with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, balancing the acidity and herbal notes.
- Gently fold the cauliflower and accompanying vegetables together, ensuring each ingredient is harmoniously coated with the aromatic dressing.
- Allow the salad to marinate for approximately 15 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Serve the Sicilian cauliflower salad at room temperature, garnishing with additional fresh parsley for a final burst of herbaceous freshness.
Notes
- Customize cooking time for cauliflower to maintain crisp texture while avoiding mushiness; aim for al dente with slight bite.
- Swap red wine vinegar with lemon juice for brighter, zestier flavor profile that complements Mediterranean ingredients.
- Consider adding protein like crumbled feta cheese or grilled chickpeas to transform this side dish into a complete vegetarian meal.
- Toast pine nuts or sliced almonds quickly in a dry
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-7 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg