The dog days of summer are in full swing here in New England, and this recent stretch of ninety-degree days has had me (and maybe you, too) craving any kind of cold salad – whatever it takes to feel cool and avoid turning on the oven. Pasta salads are great for this time of year. They’re versatile, keep great as leftovers, and can easily be made ahead of time and brought to a cookout or party.
Greek Pasta Salad | Yankee Recipe Archives (2001) Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
I’ve been eyeing this recipe for Greek Pasta Salad in the Yankee recipe database for a few years now, so when my sister invited us over last weekend to grill some pizza, I thought it would make the perfect accompaniment. It turns out that it originally ran in a 2001 newspaper column titled “Weekly Wisdom” put out by our friends at The Old Farmers’ Almanac. The column has since been discontinued, but because Yankee and OFA are sister companies (both part of Yankee Publishing Inc. here in Dublin, NH), the recipe shows up in the Yankee database, too.
This pasta salad relies on a vinaigrette rather than mayonnaise as a dressing, which I prefer – especially during the hot summer months. It doesn’t include a recipe, though, so feel free to use your favorite bottled brand or any other recipe. I used a few generous shakes of my favorite brand of balsamic vinaigrette, and it worked out great.
Fresh basil, feta, red onion, red pepper, artichoke hearts, and Kalamata olives lend terrific flavor to this Greek-inspired pasta salad. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
There are a lot of great textures and flavors in this salad. The diced red pepper and onion give it great crunch, while the artichoke hearts, olives, and feta lend that signature Greek tang. Fresh spinach (tossed with the hot pasta until it barely wilts) and basil also give a boost of summer flavor, not to mention those lovely pops of green.
We all agreed it could have used a bit more feta, so the next time I make this (and I will), I’ll double the feta from 1/2 cup to a full cup. Like all salads, it adapts without fuss.
The perfect summer side salad! Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Greek Pasta Salad – the perfect summer side!
Are you a fan of pasta salad? Which combination of noodle, dressing, and flavorful/crunchy add-ins is your favorite? Let us know!
As Digital Editor of New England.com, Aimee writes, manages, and promotes content for NewEngland.com and its social media channels. Before this role, she served as assistant, then associate, editor for Yankee Magazine and YankeeMagazine.com, where she was nominated for a City and Regional Magazine Association award for Best Blog. A lifelong New Englander, Aimee loves history, the New Hampshire seacoast, and a good Massachusetts South Shore bar pizza.
